English Reference

Word

display

Phoneticsdis·play, stress on the second syllable

US/dɪsˈpɫeɪ/

UK/dɪsplˈeɪ/

Definitions

01to show or exhibit

B1 · Intermediate

v. to put something in a place where people can easily see it.

v. to exhibit or manifest something conspicuously for public or private viewing.

“The museum will display the ancient gold coins in a glass case.”

“The gallery chose to display the controversial portraits in a separate room to provide visitors with more context regarding the artist's life.”

Usage

Transitive; requires a direct object.

Antonyms

02to show a feeling or quality

B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic

v. to show a feeling or a skill through your actions.

v. to manifest a quality, emotion, or skill through visible behavior or performance.

“The young athlete displayed great courage during the difficult race.”

“Throughout the negotiations, the lead diplomat displayed an impressive level of patience despite the repeated provocations from the opposing side.”

Antonyms

03a public show

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a collection of objects or a performance arranged for people to look at.

n. A public exhibition or spectacle intended to inform or entertain.

“We went to the park to watch the spectacular fireworks display.”

“The department store's window display featured a nostalgic winter scene that attracted crowds of shoppers during the holiday season.”

04an electronic screen

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. the part of a computer, phone, or machine that shows information or pictures.

n. A device or screen that provides a visual representation of data or images.

“The laptop has a high-resolution display that makes colors look very bright.”

“The technician noticed that the liquid crystal display was flickering, suggesting a loose connection within the internal wiring of the control panel.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “display” in context.

Verb

01. display characteristic

“Certain species of birds display unique characteristics during the mating season.”

verb + noun

02. display feature

“The new smartphone model will display several innovative features at the launch event.”

verb + noun

03. display level

“The monitor is designed to display the level of oxygen in the blood in real time.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. visual display

“The museum used a stunning visual display to explain the history of the solar system.”

adj + noun

Noun

05. table display

“The bookstore set up a beautiful table display to promote the latest bestsellers.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“So, naturally, he decided to turn them into a gigantic sculpture to display in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM).”
Phys.org 17 Aug 2026
“Jayanti found that many programs did not fully support the language, with problems such as missing keyboard characters, fonts that displayed Telugu incorrectly and typesetting software that could not properly handle the script.”
Phys.org 17 Aug 2026
“It reported that the Madonna and Christ in Pietà was removed directly from inside a secure display case, while all the paintings taken were on wooden panels, preventing them from easily being rolled up.”
BBC News 16 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English displayen, from Anglo-Norman despleier and Old French despleier, desploiier, from Medieval Latin displicare (“to unfold, display”), from Latin dis- (“apart”) + plicāre (“to fold”). Doublet of deploy.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Domains

ComputingMilitaryPrinting

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/display

English Reference