screen
gb/skɹˈin/ us/skɹˈin/
A1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Flat display surface for images
The flat part of a TV, computer, or phone where you see pictures and words.
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks at the screen
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'screen' with 'monitor'. A monitor is the whole device, while the screen is the display surface.
Synonyms
display (More general term for a device or surface that shows information.)
Antonyms
speaker (Outputs sound rather than visual images.)
Collocations
touch screen
|computer screen
|big screen
|split screen
|on-screen
Themes
technology
|media
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie looked amazing on the big screen.
- I spend too many hours staring at my computer screen.
- She cleaned the fingerprints off her phone screen.
- The game froze, and nothing moved on the screen.
- He shared his screen during the online meeting.
Learner examples
- I watch movies on a big screen.
- My phone screen is broken.
- He looks at the computer screen.
- The screen is very bright.
- She touches the screen to start.
Verb
B1
action
2
Show film or program to audience
To show a movie or program to people.
Usage pattern:
to screen [a movie/program]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'screen' (to show) with 'film' (to record).
Synonyms
show (A general term for making something visible to an audience.)
Antonyms
withhold (To not make something available for viewing.)
Collocations
screen a film
|screening event
|screen live
Themes
media
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The festival will screen ten new documentaries.
- They screened the movie at a local theater.
- The film was screened for critics before its release.
- Our school screened an educational video about recycling.
- The documentary will be screened on national television.
Learner examples
- They will screen the film tonight.
- The school screened a short movie.
- We screened the movie for our friends.
- The theater will screen a new film.
- They screened the video in class.
Verb
B2
action
3
Check for suitability or problems
To check someone or something to see if there is a problem or if they are good for a purpose.
Usage pattern:
to screen [someone/something] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'screen' with 'scan'; 'scan' often refers to using a device to read data or images, while 'screen' refers more broadly to checking suitability or safety.
Synonyms
vet (Informal term often used for checking someone's background.)
Antonyms
ignore (Failing to check or examine something.)
Collocations
screen applicants
|screen passengers
|screen for disease
Themes
healthcare
|security
|business
|health
|work
Examples
- All job candidates are screened before being hired.
- Passengers are screened for weapons at the airport.
- Doctors routinely screen patients for high blood pressure.
- We need to screen these calls before passing them on.
- The program screens every application carefully.
Learner examples
- The doctor will screen you for the disease.
- They screen all people at the airport.
- We must screen new workers before they start.
- He was screened before he entered the building.
- They screen visitors at the gate.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Partition for privacy or division
An object that blocks what you can see, often used to make a private space.
Synonyms
divider (General word for something that separates spaces.)
Antonyms
opening (An empty space that does not block view.)
Collocations
privacy screen
|folding screen
|room screen
Themes
home
|furniture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They put up a screen around the bed for privacy.
- A folding screen divided the dining area from the living room.
- The changing room had a tall wooden screen.
- We set up a screen to hide the construction area.
- She painted flowers on the decorative screen.
Learner examples
- There is a screen between the tables.
- She stood behind the screen to change clothes.
- The room has a folding screen.
- We use a big screen in the garden for shade.
- He hides behind the screen.
Noun
A2
entity
5
Mesh that blocks objects/insects
A cover with small holes that lets air and light through but keeps out bugs or dirt.
Synonyms
mesh (Material made of crossed threads with openings.)
Antonyms
solid panel (Completely blocks air and light.)
Collocations
window screen
|door screen
|mesh screen
Themes
home
|construction
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We installed new screens on all the windows.
- Flies can't get in because of the door screen.
- The window screen needs repair after the storm.
- He sifted flour through a fine screen.
- Dust collected on the metal screen over time.
Learner examples
- The window has a screen to stop insects.
- I see through the door screen.
- The window screen is broken.
- He cleans the metal screen often.
- We put a new screen on the window.
Grammar
Dictionary form
screen
IPA
GB/skɹˈin/
US/skɹˈin/
Syllables & stress
screen (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (screen)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: screen
- Plural: screens
Verb
- Base: screen
- 3rd Person Singular: screens
- Present Participle: screening
- Past: screened
Word family
Forms
screens
noun
screening
verb
screened
verb
Related words
Advanced or less common
screenplay
noun B2
screenwriter
noun B2
Expressions
big screen
1/bˈɪɡ skɹˈin/
fixed phrase
Large cinema display for movies
A large movie theater display used to show films.
Examples
- Her dream was to act on the big screen.
- The film will debut on the big screen next summer.
bring to the screen
1/bɹˈɪŋ tə ðə skɹˈin/
fixed phrase
Adapt story into film/TV production
To make a book, play, or idea into a movie or TV program.
Examples
- The novel was brought to the screen in 2015.
- Several directors have tried to bring this story to the screen.
on-screen
1/ˈɔn skɹˈin/
fixed phrase
Visible on a display device
Shown on a TV, computer, phone, or movie display.
Examples
- The actor looked taller on-screen than in real life.
- On-screen instructions will guide you through the setup.
screen out
1/skɹˈin ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Remove unwanted after checking/testing
To keep out people or things that are not wanted by checking them first.
Examples
- The process screens out unsuitable applicants early on.
- The filter screens out harmful particles from the air.
screen test
1/skɹˈin tˈɛst/
fixed phrase
Filmed audition for actor suitability
A short film made to see if an actor is right for a role in a movie or TV show.
Examples
- She did several screen tests before getting her first role.
- The director reviewed all the actors' screen tests carefully.