English Explanatory Dictionary

demote

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To lower the rank or status of.
  2. To relegate.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈməʊt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-demote.wav /dɪˈmoʊt/

Word forms

demote demotes demoting demoted

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *de Proto-Indo-European *-h₁ Proto-Indo-European *déh₁ Proto-Italic *dē Latin dē Latin dē-der. English de- Proto-Indo-European *per-der.? Proto-Indo-European *per-der.? Proto-Indo-European *pér Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *pró Proto-Indo-European *pro- Proto-Italic *pro- Latin prō- Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁-der. Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Latin prōmoveō Latin prōmōtusbor. English (pro)mote English demote From de- (“down”) + promote (“advance in rank/status (ending abstracted)”).

Synonyms

degrade humble reduce abase bring down to size cut down to size debase defame demean demote depress discredit disgrace dishonour disparage downgrade embase give a bad name humiliate knock down to size put someone in their place relegate sink slur trim down to size whittle down to size

Antonyms

promote

Derived words

demotee demoter undemoted
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