Words / C1

i-LEKT-uh-r-uh-t/ɪˈlektərət/

The electorate is everyone entitled to vote: the British electorate, a shrinking electorate. Voters is everyday; the public is wider; a like-count is not a roll. Turnout (already in the dictionary) is how many actually voted.

Meaning

All the people who are entitled to vote in an election.

Examples

• “The electorate for the board seat is the roll, not the people who liked the film.”
• “Voters is everyday. Constituency is a seat’s people. The public includes non-voters. A film is comms. A roll is a list. Count the roll; then the likes if you still care.”

Good to know

Everyone entitled to vote. Everyday: voters. Contrast: the public; a like-count. Related: turnout (already in the dictionary).

Near in meaning

voters

New