electorate
ih-LEK-ter-ut
/ɪˈlɛktərət/
All the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.
Refers to the entire collective body of eligible voters, treated as a single demographic or political force.
The story behind the word. The term traces back to Latin 'electus', the past participle of 'eligere' meaning to pick out or choose. In medieval times, 'electors' were princes of the Holy Roman Empire designated to choose the emperor. By the 18th century, English adapted 'electorate' to signify the entire collective body of citizens holding voting rights.
Word relationships
- voters: 'Voters' refers to individuals who actually cast ballots, whereas 'electorate' includes everyone legally entitled to vote regardless of whether they participate.
- constituency: 'Constituency' usually emphasizes a specific geographic district or subgroup, while 'electorate' encompasses the full voting body.
- disenfranchised: Refers specifically to those who have been deprived of the right to vote.
Commonly confused with
- constituency: A constituency is a specific geographic area or group represented by an official; the electorate is the body of all eligible voters.
Word family
- electoral (adjective): Relating to elections or electors.
- elector (noun): A person who has the right to vote in an election.
Collocations
- general electorate
- informed electorate
- volatile electorate
- alienated electorate
Idioms & expressions
- court the electorate
- appeal to the electorate
Example sentences
- "The modern electorate expects transparency from its elected representatives." Political analysis
- "An informed electorate is the prerequisite for a functioning democratic society." Historical commentary
Memory hook
ELECT + ORATE: The group that ELECTS people who ORATE (speak) in parliament. The full ocean of citizens who possess voting power.
When not to use
Do not use to refer to individual voters or to a specific political party's supporters alone.
Fun facts
- In the United States, the 'Electoral College' uses 'electorate' in its original historical sense of designated individuals chosen to cast official votes.
Related words
Explore more words
constituency, plebiscite, constituent, suffrage, populace, referendum
Also appears in
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