démo

Démo is a French noun and abbreviation derived from démonstration. The term is used informally to refer to a demonstration, sample, or trial version of a product, service, or creative work. It is commonly found in technology, entertainment, and marketing contexts and can be written with or without the accent, though démo with the acute accent is typical in French.

In music, une démo denotes a rough recording produced by an artist or group to showcase songs to producers, labels, or collaborators. Demo recordings typically have lower fidelity and simpler arrangements than final releases and are intended to secure a contract, feedback, or negotiation. The concept originated with demo tapes and has since adapted to digital formats.

In software and video games, a démo is a demonstration version that allows users to try a subset of features, content, or functionality, often with time or usage limitations. Démos are used as marketing tools to attract customers and to collect user feedback before a full release. They can be distributed online, on physical media, or bundled with other products.

Other uses include live demonstrations at events, product demonstrations in retail, or sample performances in presenting capabilities. The term is widely understood in French-speaking markets and in international contexts where English loanwords are common; some writers prefer the accented form démo, while others use demo without accent.