screen meaning, definition, and synonyms

Screen is a very flexible English word. It can mean to examine something carefully, to protect or hide something, or a physical surface or partition such as a window screen or movie screen. Because it has several different senses, its synonyms depend on the context.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /skrin/

Easy pronunciation: SCREEN (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, so the single syllable is stressed.

Verb meaning to examine in order to test suitability.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Screen Meaning

to check something or someone carefully to decide if they are suitable

Part of speech: verb

Definition: examine in order to test suitability

Example: The company screens job applicants before inviting them to interview.

Synonyms for this meaning:

test — Works in the sense of checking something to see if it meets a standard, though it is broader than screen.
sort — Can fit when people or things are being filtered by suitability, but it is less specific than screen.
screen out — Very close in meaning when the idea is removing unsuitable people or things from consideration.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Screen

Meaning 2

to keep something safe or hidden

Part of speech: verb

Definition: protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm

Example: Trees screened the house from the road.

Synonyms for this meaning:

shield — A strong synonym when the meaning is protecting something from harm or view.

Meaning 3

to check for a disease or infection

Part of speech: verb

Definition: test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

Example: Doctors screened the blood for signs of infection.

Synonyms for this meaning:

test — A direct substitute in medical contexts.

Meaning 4

to separate by passing through a sieve or similar tool

Part of speech: verb

Definition: separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff

Example: They screened the flour to remove lumps.

Synonyms for this meaning:

riddle — Works in the older, technical sense of separating material through a coarse sieve.
sieve — Can work as a verb in this physical separating sense, though it is less common than screen.

Meaning 5

to block something from getting in

Part of speech: verb

Definition: prevent from entering

Example: The fence screens out most of the wind.

Synonyms for this meaning:

block out — A good match when screen means preventing entry or passage.

Meaning 6

to show a film or image on a screen

Part of speech: verb

Definition: project onto a screen for viewing

Example: The cinema screened the new documentary last night.

Meaning 7

a device with holes or mesh for separating material

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles

Example: Use a fine screen to remove lumps from the powder.

Synonyms for this meaning:

sieve — A close synonym for this physical tool.

Meaning 8

something that hides or protects something else

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

Example: A screen of bushes hid the garden from the street.

Synonyms for this meaning:

concealment — Works when the focus is on hiding, but it is more abstract than screen.
cover — A natural synonym when screen means a hiding or protective cover.
covert — Fits the idea of concealment, but it is more formal and less direct than screen.

Meaning 9

the film world

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the personnel of the film industry

Example: She has worked in stage and screen for years.

Synonyms for this meaning:

filmdom — A direct synonym for the film industry.
screenland — Refers to the film world, but it is fairly old-fashioned.

Meaning 10

a surface for showing projected pictures

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

Example: The lecturer pointed at the screen while the slides played.

Synonyms for this meaning:

projection screen — A precise term for this kind of surface.
silver screen — Usually refers to the movie screen in a cinematic or stylistic sense, not every projection surface.

Meaning 11

the display on a cathode-ray tube device

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the display that is electronically created on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tube

Example: The image flickered on the old CRT screen.

Synonyms for this meaning:

crt screen — A technical term for this specific display type.

Meaning 12

a covering that blocks view or keeps things out

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a protective covering that keeps things out or hinders sight

Example: The room had a blind over the window.

Synonyms for this meaning:

blind — A good synonym when screen means a covering used to block sight or light.

Meaning 13

a mesh covering, often in a frame, that protects or keeps things out

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a protective covering consisting of netting; can be mounted in a frame

Example: They installed screens on the windows to keep insects out.

Meaning 14

a panel used to divide a room or area

Part of speech: noun

Definition: partition consisting of a decorative frame or panel that serves to divide a space

Example: They used a folding screen to divide the room.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Screen Synonyms

Similar Meaning

test
screen out
sort

protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm

shield

test or examine for the presence of disease or infection

test

separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff

riddle
sieve

prevent from entering

block out

a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles

sieve

a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something

cover
concealment
covert

the personnel of the film industry

filmdom
screenland

a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing

projection screen
silver screen

the display that is electronically created on the surface of the large end of a cathode-ray tube

crt screen

a protective covering that keeps things out or hinders sight

blind

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Using screen to mean only a TV or computer display; it has many other meanings.
Mixing up the verb meaning 'screen' with the noun meaning 'screen' in a movie theater.
Assuming every synonym for hiding or covering works in the medical or filtering senses.
Using 'screening' as if it always means medical testing; it can also mean checking applicants or materials.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of screen?

The most common everyday verb meaning is to check or examine something carefully, especially to decide whether it is suitable.

What are the best synonyms for screen?

For the main verb sense, good synonyms are test, screen out, and sometimes sort. The best choice depends on the context.

Does screen always mean a display?

No. It can also mean to hide, protect, filter, separate, or examine something, depending on the sentence.

Is screen a noun or a verb?

It can be both. As a noun, it may mean a display, a partition, a mesh cover, or the film world. As a verb, it often means to check, filter, protect, or show a film.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.