Display — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈsplā/ dis·play

Meaning & Definition of Display

Display (verb)

  1. to place or spread (something) for people to see; also, to serve as a place for displaying (something)
  2. to make (an emotion, quality, skill, etc.) evident
  3. to exhibit conspicuously and usually in an ostentatious manner

Display (noun)

  1. a setting or presentation of something in open view
  2. a clear sign or evidence, exhibition
  3. ostentatious show

Display (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a public showing of objects of interest

    "a display of paintings by masters of French Impressionism"

    similar: exhibit, exhibition, expo, exposition, fair, show
    related: demonstration, performance, presentation, production, extravaganza, pageant, spectacle, auction, offering, presentment, sale

  2. an outward and often exaggerated indication of something abstract (as a feeling) for effect

    "a display of sympathy that was totally phony"

    similar: demonstration, exhibition, flaunting, show
    related: act, charade, facade, front, guise, pretense, put-on, semblance, simulation, affectation, pose, sham, betrayal, disclosure

Display (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to present so as to invite notice or attention

    "display the best items at the front of the showcase"

    similar: disport, exhibit, expose, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show, show off, sport, strut, unveil
    related: brandish, flourish, wave, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, herald, placard, post, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, divulge, talk (about), tell (of), bare, discover, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask
    near: camouflage, disguise, mask, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occlude, occult, shroud, veil

  2. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "an actress who can display a great range of emotion"

    similar: bespeak, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, evince, expose, give away, manifest, reveal, show
    related: bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project
    near: belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Display

The most common words with a similar meaning to Display:

exhibit, exhibition, expo, exposition, fair, show, demonstration, flaunting, disport, expose, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show off, sport, strut, unveil, bespeak, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, evince, give away, manifest, reveal

Related Words for Display

performance, presentation, production, extravaganza, pageant, spectacle, auction, offering, presentment, sale, act, charade, facade, front, guise, pretense, put-on, semblance, simulation, affectation, pose, sham, betrayal, disclosure, brandish, flourish, wave, advertise, air, announce

Near Antonyms of Display

camouflage, disguise, mask, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occlude, occult, shroud, veil, belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, counterfeit

Word Forms of Display

Inflections: displayed, displaying, displays

Derived words: displayable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Display

Middle English desplaien, displaien, displeien "to unfurl (a banner), spread (the arms), reveal, expound," borrowed from Anglo-French despleier, desplaier, desploier, deplaier "to unfurl, set out to view, reveal, expound" (continental Old French desploier), probably from des- dis- + pleier, ploier "to fold, bend" ply:3

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Display

Words & Phrases Containing Display

heads-up display, liquid crystal display, self-display, caller display, on display, window display

Frequently Asked Questions about Display

What does "Display" mean?

"Display" means to place or spread (something) for people to see; also, to serve as a place for displaying (something). As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to place or spread (something) for people to see; also, to serve as a place for displaying (something). It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Display"?

Other words for "Display" include exhibit, exhibition, expo, exposition, fair, show, demonstration and flaunting. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Display" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Display"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Display". Common alternatives include exhibit, exhibition, expo, exposition, fair, show, demonstration, flaunting, disport and expose.

How do you use "Display" in a sentence?

Examples of "Display" in a sentence: "a display of paintings by masters of French Impressionism"; "a display of sympathy that was totally phony"; "display the best items at the front of the showcase".

Is "Display" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Display" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Display" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Display" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Display"?

"Display" is pronounced /di-ˈsplā/ and divided into syllables as dis·play.

What is the origin of the word "Display"?

"Display" comes from Middle English desplaien, displaien, displeien "to unfurl (a banner), spread (the arms), reveal, expound," borrowed from Anglo-French despleier, desplaier, desploier, deplaier "to unfurl, set out to view, reveal, expound" (continental Old French desploier), probably from des- dis- + pleier, ploier "to fold, bend" ply:3. First known use: 14th centuryt.