display
Americanverb (used with object)
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to show or exhibit; make visible.
to display a sign.
- Antonyms:
- conceal
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to reveal; betray.
to display fear.
- Antonyms:
- conceal
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to unfold; open out; spread out.
to display a sail.
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to show ostentatiously; flaunt.
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Printing. to give special prominence to (words, captions, etc.) by choice, size, and arrangement of type.
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Digital Technology. to output (data) on a screen.
verb (used without object)
noun
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an act or instance of displaying; exhibition.
a display of courage.
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an ostentatious show.
a vulgar display of wealth.
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Printing.
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the giving of prominence to particular words, sentences, etc., by the choice, size, and arrangement of types and position, as in an advertisement, headline, or news story.
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printed matter thus displayed.
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an arrangement, as of merchandise, art objects, or flowers, designed to please the eye, attract buyers, etc.
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Digital Technology.
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the visual representation of the output of an electronic device.
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the portion of an electronic device that shows this representation, as a screen, lens, or reticle.
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Animal Behavior.
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a pattern of behavior, as posturing, calling, or exposing a color patch, that conveys information to individuals of the same or another species.
a threat display.
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an instance of such behavior.
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verb
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(tr) to show or make visible
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(tr) to disclose or make evident; reveal
to display anger
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(tr) to flaunt in an ostentatious way
to display military might
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(tr) to spread or open out; unfurl or unfold
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(tr) to give prominence to (headings, captions, etc) by the use of certain typefaces
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(intr) zoology to engage in a display
noun
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the act of exhibiting or displaying; show
a display of fear
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something exhibited or displayed
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an ostentatious or pretentious exhibition
a display of his accomplishments
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an arrangement of certain typefaces to give prominence to headings, captions, advertisements, etc
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printed matter that is eye-catching
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electronics
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a device capable of representing information visually, as on a cathode-ray tube screen
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the information so presented
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zoology a pattern of behaviour in birds, fishes, etc, by which the animal attracts attention while it is courting the female, defending its territory, etc
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(modifier) relating to or using typefaces that give prominence to the words they are used to set
Usage
What does display mean? To display is to make visible or show to others, as in Francis’s teacher displayed his homework on the “Good Job!” board. A display is an arrangement or showing, as in The art display included paintings and sketches by the famous artist. To display can also mean to reveal or betray, as when you display your feelings with the look on your face. Less commonly, to display means to unfold or spread out, the way a sail does in the wind. Example: We bought the display model so we ended up saving a few dollars.
Synonym Usage
Display, evince, exhibit, manifest mean to show or bring to the attention of another or others. To display is literally to spread something out so that it may be most completely and favorably seen: to display goods for sale. To exhibit is to display something in a show: to exhibit the best flowers. They may both be used for showing (off ) one's qualities or feelings: He displayed his wit. He exhibited great surprise. To evince and to manifest also mean to show feelings or qualities: to evince or manifest surprise, interest.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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displayernoun
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predisplaynoun
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self-displaynoun
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redisplayverb (used with object)
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undisplayingadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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displaysimple
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displayssimple
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have displayedperfect
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has displayedperfect
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am displayingprogressive
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are displayingprogressive
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is displayingprogressive
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have been displayingperfect progressive
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has been displayingperfect progressive
Past
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displayedsimple
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had displayedperfect
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was displayingprogressive
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were displayingprogressive
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had been displayingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of display
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English desplayen, displayen, from Anglo-French, Old French despleier, desplier, desploier, from Late Latin displicāre “to unfold”; see origin at dis- 1, -fold
Explanation
When you display something, you show everyone. If you run up to someone in the street, throw your arms around her, and plant a big kiss on her face, you're displaying your affection for all the world to see. Besides public displays of emotion, a display can also be common and lifeless. Department store windows often have elaborate displays of the latest fashions, and your computer screen can also be called a display. If you’re especially proud of your butterfly collection, you can put it on display in your office. When showing off for the ladies, peacocks fan out their colorful tail feathers, and that, too, is called a display — a word for male animal courtship behavior.
Vocabulary lists containing display
Essential English Vocabulary, List 4
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Word Generation Weekly - Series 1
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Computer Terms
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Those riffs will be on display at the Wacken Open Air festival on Friday and during McCreary’s eight-date September “Singularity” tour of the West Coast that hits L.A. on Sept. 17.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
However, religious groups and others have frequently objected to his display of human remains.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
This is an astonishing display of incompetence, or disloyalty, or both.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Five young Pallas's cats, dubbed the world's grumpiest feline for their sullen facial expressions, went on display at a zoo in Japan on Thursday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
This one held a dazzling display of birthday cakes, in many styles and flavors.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
Yet not everyone is convinced that monumental displays of faith can address what some see as a growing spiritual malaise.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Rare earth elements are essential for displays, magnets, and other functional materials that play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable society.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026
Witkoff sat in a row of hard wooden benches often occupied by people aiming to make public displays of support for Trump—J.D.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Unlike Guzmán and his sons, who are known for more dramatic displays like prison escapes, Zambada worked more stealthily to avoid prison for years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
The vendor ladies squatted, scowling, resting their chins on their crossed arms, behind fortresses of stacked kola nuts, bundles of fragrant sticks, piles of charcoal, salvaged bottles and cans, or displays of dried animal parts.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Rats that consumed sugar or fat displayed strong activity in brain pathways involved in memory.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Both displayed robust instruments with exceptional clarity, agility in florid passages, and moving sincerity in the many laments, which were ornamented with elegant subtlety.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Gunther von Hagens, the creator of the controversial "Body Worlds" exhibitions where dissected human and animal bodies were displayed, has died at the age of 81, according to his family.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
They are not commonly displayed at zoos as they are relatively more sensitive to infections, the Kobe zoo said in a written statement to AFP Monday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
Wide red awnings shaded the windows where merchandise was displayed.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Around her are patio tables displaying the kind of food the shop carried: pies and cakes, what appear to be stuffed tomatoes, baguettes, sophisticated deli salads, gorgeous hunks of cheese.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
In 2005, Congress passed the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, which ensures HOAs or similar groups can’t prohibit residents from displaying the U.S. flag on their property.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
Writers face imprisonment, including Tibetan author Gangkye Drubpa Kyab, who is serving a 14-year sentence for “inciting separatism” and was previously imprisoned for displaying a photograph of the Dalai Lama.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
It said staff had reported that "no-one was allowed to enter or leave the compound", while NTV Uganda and Spark TV viewers "were met with blank screens displaying the message 'video unavailable'."
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Rarely displaying affection in his life or letters, Washington showed his gratitude to the enslaved man who had been his constant companion.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
