small screen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “small screen” mean?
Television.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Television; a television set or the medium of television broadcasting as opposed to cinema (the big screen).
Any portable electronic device with a relatively small display used for watching video content or browsing, such as a smartphone or tablet, as opposed to a cinema or large television screen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical. The term is standard in both varieties, though other informal terms for television (e.g., 'the box' in UK, 'the tube' in US) may be more regionally frequent.
Connotations
In both, it can carry a slightly dismissive or belittling connotation compared to cinema, though it is mostly neutral. In media industry contexts, it is a standard professional term.
Frequency
Slightly more common in professional media and critical writing than in casual everyday speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “small screen” in a Sentence
appear on the small screenmake the jump from stage to small screensee something on the small screenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “small screen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She's a bona fide small-screen legend now.
- The small-screen adaptation was surprisingly faithful.
American English
- He's a popular small-screen actor.
- It was a major small-screen event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in media and entertainment industry reports: 'The studio is shifting its focus to small-screen productions.'
Academic
Used in media studies to discuss the cultural impact of television versus film.
Everyday
Used informally to discuss watching TV or to contrast with going to the cinema: 'I saw that actor on the small screen last night.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts about display technology; 'small display' or 'compact screen' would be used instead.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “small screen”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “small screen”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “small screen”
- Using 'small screen' to refer to a physically broken or cracked TV/phone screen (that's a 'cracked' or 'smashed' screen).
- Using it in a formal technical specification (e.g., 'This laptop has a small screen' – it's a 'compact' or 'small-sized' screen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary reference is television, it is increasingly used for any device with a small display used for video consumption, like smartphones and tablets, especially when contrasting with larger screens.
It is informal but standard in journalistic and media industry contexts. It is less formal than 'television' or 'broadcast media' but perfectly acceptable in most writing and speech.
The direct and most common antonym is 'big screen' or 'silver screen', both referring to cinema.
It's possible but unusual and potentially ambiguous. You would typically say 'a small television' or 'a small TV'. 'The small screen' almost always refers to the medium generically, not a specific physical object.
Television.
Small screen: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsmɔːl ˈskriːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsmɔːl ˈskriːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A small-screen sensation.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the classic rivalry: BIG screen (cinema) for epic scale vs. SMALL screen (TV/phone) for home viewing.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDIUM FOR PRODUCT (The physical screen represents the entire medium and its content).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'small screen' LEAST appropriate?