desktop
DEHSK-top
Desktop (noun) means the flat top surface of a desk. Example: “Spilled coffee left a ring on the wooden desktop.”
noun
1
The flat top surface of a desk.
"Spilled coffee left a ring on the wooden desktop."
"She wiped the dusty desktop before putting her notebook down."
"He cleared everything off the desktop before the meeting."
2
A computer designed to sit on a desk, or the main screen and icons you see on a computer.
"I saved the file to my desktop so I can find it quickly."
"Her desktop is cluttered with dozens of icons."
"He prefers a desktop computer over a laptop for gaming."
adj
1
Designed for use on a desk, or intended for a personal computer rather than a phone.
"The desktop version of the app has more features than the phone one."
"Is there a desktop shortcut for this program?"
"The site looks better on desktop than on mobile."
How to use desktop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe surface of a desk, or a personal computer and its main screen.
Common pairings
desktop computer
desktop wallpaper
desktop version
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Word forms
- Plural
- desktops
Fill the gap
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Spilled coffee left a ring on the wooden _____.
Etymology
A compound of "desk" and "top," first used for computers in the 1980s to describe machines meant to sit on an office desk.
Class of 1980
desktop joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “desktop” mean?
The word “desktop” means the flat top surface of a desk. In plain terms, the surface of a desk, or a personal computer and its main screen.
How do you pronounce “desktop”?
“Desktop” is pronounced DEHSK-top ([ˈdɛskˌtɑp] in IPA).
How do you use “desktop” in a sentence?
Here is “desktop” used in a sentence: “He cleared everything off the desktop before the meeting.”
What part of speech is “desktop”?
Depending on how it is used, “desktop” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “desktop” come from?
The word “desktop” dates back to around 1980. A compound of "desk" and "top," first used for computers in the 1980s to describe machines meant to sit on an office desk.
Is “desktop” a common word?
“Desktop” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “desktop” have?
“Desktop” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the flat top surface of a desk.
What is the difference between a desktop and a laptop?
A desktop is a computer designed to sit on a desk and usually stays in one place, with a separate monitor, keyboard, and tower. A laptop is a portable computer with those parts built into one folding unit that you can carry around.
What is the difference between the desktop and mobile version of a website?
A desktop version is designed for use on a personal computer with a larger screen and a mouse, while a mobile version is optimised for the smaller touchscreens of phones. The desktop layout usually shows more content at once.
Why is a physical desk surface also called a desktop?
"Desktop" literally means the flat top surface of a desk. The computing sense borrowed this word for the main on-screen workspace and for computers that sit on a desk, extending the original meaning.
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