screen
SKREEN
Screen (noun) means a flat surface on a device or in a cinema on which images or text are displayed. Example: “The cinema's huge screen made every scene feel bigger than life.”
noun
1
A flat surface on a device or in a cinema on which images or text are displayed.
"The cinema's huge screen made every scene feel bigger than life."
"I cracked the screen on my tablet when it fell off the sofa."
"She stared at her phone screen all evening."
verb
1
To examine or test someone or something to detect a problem, risk, or suitability.
"Airport staff screen all bags for dangerous items before boarding."
"Patients are screened for high blood pressure at every visit."
"Job applicants are screened before an interview is offered."
2
To shield or conceal something from view.
"She used a folding panel to screen the bed from the doorway."
"Tall trees screen the cottage from its nosy neighbours."
"A tall hedge screens the garden from the road."
3
To show a film or program publicly.
"The channel will screen the new series every Sunday evening."
"The students' short films were screened in the school hall on Friday."
"The documentary was screened at the local festival."
How to use screen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA display surface, or to check/test/shield something, or to show a film publicly.
Common pairings
screen for cancer
big screen
screen a movie
smoke screen
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- screens
- Past tense
- screened
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The cinema's huge _____ made every scene feel bigger than life.
Etymology
From Old French escren, probably borrowed from a Dutch word for a shelter or barrier, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning covering or protection.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for screen
See all rhymes for screen →Frequently asked questions
What does “screen” mean?
The word “screen” means a flat surface on a device or in a cinema on which images or text are displayed. In plain terms, a display surface, or to check/test/shield something, or to show a film publicly.
How do you pronounce “screen”?
“Screen” is pronounced SKREEN (/ˈskɹiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “screen” in a sentence?
Here is “screen” used in a sentence: “She stared at her phone screen all evening.”
What part of speech is “screen”?
Depending on how it is used, “screen” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “screen” come from?
The word “screen” comes from Old French. From Old French escren, probably borrowed from a Dutch word for a shelter or barrier, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning covering or protection.
Is “screen” a common word?
“Screen” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “screen” have?
“Screen” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat surface on a device or in a cinema on which images or text are displayed.
What is the difference between a screen and a monitor?
A screen is the flat display surface itself, whether on a phone, television, laptop, or in a cinema. A monitor is a standalone display unit, usually for a computer, that contains a screen plus its casing and electronics. Every monitor has a screen, but not every screen is called a monitor.
What are the different types of screen?
Common types include LCD screens, LED-backlit screens, OLED screens, and touchscreens, each differing in how they produce light and colour. Screens also vary by use, from tiny phone displays to large cinema projection screens. The right type depends on size, brightness, energy use, and whether touch input is needed.
Why is screen size measured diagonally?
Screen size is given as the distance from one corner to the opposite corner, rather than by width or height. This single diagonal figure lets buyers compare displays of different shapes and aspect ratios with one number. A '55-inch' television, for example, measures 55 inches across its diagonal, not its width.
What is an example of a screen?
Everyday screens include a smartphone display, a laptop or computer monitor, a television set, a tablet, and the large projection surface in a cinema. Anything with a flat area that shows moving or still images and text qualifies. Modern screens are often touch-sensitive, letting you control the device by tapping.
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