screen
screen — noun
1. a flat, usually rectangular surface on a computer, phone, television, or in a ci
a flat, usually rectangular surface on a computer, phone, television, or in a cinema, where words, pictures, and videos appear.
Yumi looked at her phone screen and saw three new messages.
possessive + screen for phone display
The cinema has a huge screen that fills the front wall.
huge screen for cinema display
Brandon cleaned his computer screen with a soft cloth.
A message appeared on the screen asking for a password.
The doctor checked the patient's X-ray on a large screen.
文法句型
screen + of + noun
on + the/someone's + screen
用法筆記
Often combined with the name of the device: phone screen, computer screen, laptop screen, TV screen. When referring to the cinema, screen is the physical surface; the films themselves are shown on the screen.
常見錯誤
2. a movable or fixed vertical panel that divides a space, hides something from vie
a movable or fixed vertical panel that divides a space, hides something from view, or provides protection — for example, a folding room divider, a privacy screen in an office, or a wall of trees that blocks the wind.
Ignacio placed a folding screen between the bed and the desk for privacy.
folding screen as room divider
A tall screen of trees protects the garden from the strong wind.
screen of trees — natural barrier
The nurse pulled a screen around the bed so the patient could change.
The hospital uses screens to separate patients in large shared rooms.
文法句型
screen + between
screen of + noun
用法筆記
Can describe both human-made objects (folding screens, hospital screens) and natural barriers (a screen of trees, a screen of bushes). The object can be solid or translucent — its purpose is to block sight or create separation.
常見錯誤
3. television as a medium or industry — the programs, news, and entertainment that
television as a medium or industry — the programs, news, and entertainment that people watch on TV.
The prime minister appeared on the screen to address the nation live.
on the screen — television broadcast context
Mei has worked in front of the screen for over twenty years as a newsreader.
in front of the screen — metonym for TV work
Many young actors dream of making it onto the small screen.
Hana spent the whole evening in front of the screen watching documentaries.
- television
the direct term; screen is a more informal, journalistic substitute
- TV
more common in everyday speech
文法句型
the screen
on (the) screen
用法筆記
Common in fixed phrases: the small screen (= television, contrasting with cinema), the big screen (= cinema). Typically used with the definite article. This sense is a metonym — the device name stands for the medium.
4. the film industry or the art and business of making movies — used to talk about
the film industry or the art and business of making movies — used to talk about cinema in general, not a specific device.
Layla studied screenwriting because she wants a career in film.
career in film — idiomatic for film industry
Rohan adapted his novel for the screen and won an award.
adapted for the screen — common collocation
Some stories work better on the screen than on the stage.
Samir's first script was brought to the screen by a famous director.
文法句型
the screen
用法筆記
Often contrasted with the stage (theatre). Phrases like write for the screen or bring something to the screen refer to film adaptation rather than theatre.
5. a seemingly lawful person, business, or activity that conceals something illegal
a seemingly lawful person, business, or activity that conceals something illegal or secret underneath — for instance, a small shop that secretly operates as a place for selling stolen goods.
Tamar used the restaurant as a screen for her illegal gambling business.
screen for — hiding illegal activity
The charity was a screen for money laundering.
Police suspected the travel agency was nothing but a screen for drug trafficking.
The online store was just a screen for a credit card fraud ring.
文法句型
screen for + noun
用法筆記
Subject is always a thing (business, organisation, activity) hiding another thing. Never used for a literal object in this sense — for the physical divider, see sense 2.
6. an attacking play in American football where the quarterback passes to a receive
an attacking play in American football where the quarterback passes to a receiver who has moved to a spot past the starting line, while teammates run ahead to shield that player from defenders.
Noa caught the ball on a screen and ran fifteen yards before being tackled.
on a screen in American football context
The quarterback called a screen to slow down the defence.
Jason's coach drew up a screen play on the whiteboard during practice.
The defensive line read the screen quickly and stopped the play for a loss.
- screen pass
the full term; screen is a shortened form
用法筆記
Only used in American football contexts. The shortened form screen (from screen pass) is standard in sports commentary. Outside North America, this sense is not understood.
7. in basketball, ice hockey, and similar sports, an action where an offensive play
in basketball, ice hockey, and similar sports, an action where an offensive player stands in front of a defender to block their movement, giving a teammate space to shoot or pass.
Ramón set a screen for his teammate, allowing her to take an open shot.
set a screen — standard basketball collocation
The coach taught the players how to move after setting a screen.
Otis ran across the court and set a solid screen near the three-point line.
Yasmin slipped past the defender after her teammate set a strong screen.
用法筆記
Commonly used in basketball and ice hockey. The verb phrase set a screen is the standard collocation in coaching. In basketball, the term pick is more common in informal play; screen is the formal coaching term.
8. a mesh of fine wire or plastic held inside a rectangular frame and fitted into a
a mesh of fine wire or plastic held inside a rectangular frame and fitted into a window opening or a doorway, allowing air to pass through while preventing insects from coming inside.
Ada opened the window but kept the screen closed to keep mosquitoes out.
screen vs. window — distinct objects
The screen door banged shut behind Mert as he went into the garden.
screen door — common compound noun
Lakshmi replaced the torn screen on the kitchen window with a new one.
A small hole in the window screen let a single fly into the house.
- mesh
the material itself rather than the frame; a screen is mesh + frame
- fly screen
more common in British English and Australia
文法句型
window screen
screen door
用法筆記
Common in warmer climates where windows are opened frequently. A screen door is a separate door made of mesh in a frame. In British English, this object is sometimes called a fly screen or flyscreened window, though window screen is also understood.
常見錯誤
screen — verb
1. to check a person or a group of people for a specific disease, medical condition
to check a person or a group of people for a specific disease, medical condition, or illegal substance through systematic medical or laboratory procedures.
The clinic screened all new patients for high blood pressure.
screen + object + for + condition
Antonia was screened for breast cancer at the hospital last week.
passive: be screened for
The company screens job applicants for drug use before hiring.
All blood donations are screened for viruses before they are used.
文法句型
screen + object + for + noun
be screened for + noun
用法筆記
Frequently passive. The preposition for introduces what is being tested for (disease, condition, substance). The subject is typically a medical institution, employer, or authority. Do not confuse with examine — screen implies a systematic test applied to many people, not a one-on-one physical exam.
常見錯誤
2. to check who is calling on the phone before deciding whether to answer — for exa
to check who is calling on the phone before deciding whether to answer — for example, by looking at the caller ID or letting an answering machine pick up first.
Gabriel screens all his calls during dinner and never picks up.
screen calls — common collocation
Baraka let the machine answer so he could screen the caller.
screen the caller — direct object is the person
João screens his phone calls when he does not recognise the number.
Trang screened every call during the meeting and only answered urgent ones.
文法句型
screen + object (calls/callers)
screen + object's + calls
用法筆記
Most common in informal contexts. The object can be calls (the things being checked) or callers (the people). This sense does NOT apply to emails or messages — use filter or vett for those.
常見錯誤
3. to show a film, television programme, or video to an audience in a cinema, at a
to show a film, television programme, or video to an audience in a cinema, at a festival, or on a broadcast channel.
Sofie's short film was screened at the international festival.
be screened at + venue — passive form
The cinema is screening the new documentary all week.
cinema screening — present continuous
The network will screen the final episode on Friday night.
Eshe's first movie was screened in twelve countries after its release.
文法句型
screen + object (film/programme)
be screened at/in + place
用法筆記
More formal than show. Used for official or scheduled presentations (film festivals, cinema releases, television broadcasts). For casual at-home viewing, use watch or stream instead.
常見錯誤
4. to protect someone or something from harm, danger, or an unpleasant view, by pla
to protect someone or something from harm, danger, or an unpleasant view, by placing something between them and the source of the threat — for example, using an umbrella to block the sun.
Lauren held up a newspaper to screen her face from the bright sun.
screen + object + from + source
A row of tall trees screens the house from the road.
screens from — natural shielding
Élise used her hand to screen her eyes from the camera flash.
The fence screens the construction site from view.
- expose
to remove protection or reveal something
文法句型
screen + object + from + noun
用法筆記
Always followed by from + the thing being blocked. The object being protected can be a person, a body part (eyes, face), or a building. Unlike the TAKE BLAME sense (sense 5), this sense involves a physical barrier or gesture, not a social one.
常見錯誤
5. to protect someone from blame, criticism, or punishment by taking responsibility
to protect someone from blame, criticism, or punishment by taking responsibility yourself or by preventing the truth from being known.
Piotr took the blame to screen his younger brother from punishment.
screen from punishment — protecting from consequences
The manager tried to screen the team from criticism after the failed project.
screen from criticism
Hari's colleagues screened him by saying they had all approved the plan together.
Parents sometimes screen their children from the consequences of bad choices.
- blame
to assign responsibility negatively rather than deflect it
文法句型
screen + object + from + noun (blame/consequences)
用法筆記
The object is the person being protected; the preposition from introduces the negative consequence (blame, criticism, punishment). Distinguish from sense 4 (SHIELD) which is about physical protection. This sense is about social or institutional protection.
常見錯誤
6. to examine people or things carefully in order to decide which ones are suitable
to examine people or things carefully in order to decide which ones are suitable or acceptable for a particular purpose — for example, checking job applicants before inviting them for an interview.
The university screens all applicants for language proficiency before admission.
screen for — checking a quality
Zayd's company screens potential employees with background checks.
The committee screened twenty candidates and invited five for interviews.
All submitted proposals were screened before the conference committee reviewed them.
文法句型
screen + object (applicants/candidates)
screen + object + for + quality/trait
用法筆記
Overlaps with sense 1 (TEST), but sense 6 is about suitability (job, admission, membership) rather than medical conditions. The preposition for introduces the desired or undesired quality. Frequently passive in formal contexts.