touchscreen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Technical
Quick answer
What does “touchscreen” mean?
A display screen on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device that responds to the touch of a finger or stylus, allowing direct interaction without a separate keyboard or mouse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A display screen on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device that responds to the touch of a finger or stylus, allowing direct interaction without a separate keyboard or mouse.
The technology enabling such interaction; used as a modifier for devices featuring this technology (e.g., touchscreen phone). Can also refer broadly to the user interface paradigm centered on direct touch manipulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistently one word in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral/technological in both. Slightly more formal alternatives like "touch-sensitive display" exist but are rare.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to global tech terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “touchscreen” in a Sentence
[device] has/features a touchscreen[device] with a touchscreeninteract with/use the touchscreennavigate via the touchscreenVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “touchscreen” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- All modern ticket machines are touchscreen.
- The new museum exhibit is fully touchscreen.
American English
- Most rental cars now have touchscreen dashboards.
- We installed a touchscreen kiosk in the lobby.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common in marketing and product specifications for consumer electronics and point-of-sale systems.
Academic
Used in computer science, human-computer interaction (HCI), and engineering literature.
Everyday
Widely used when discussing smartphones, tablets, ATMs, ticket machines, and car infotainment systems.
Technical
Precise term in electronics and interface design, with subtypes like resistive, capacitive, infrared, etc.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “touchscreen”
- Misspelling as two words ('touch screen' – though sometimes seen, the single-word form is standard).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I touchscreened the icon' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard modern spelling is as one word: 'touchscreen'. The two-word form 'touch screen' is occasionally seen but is less common.
No, 'touchscreen' is a noun (and attributive adjective). The action is 'touch the screen' or 'tap/swipe on the touchscreen'.
Capacitive touchscreens (used in most smartphones) respond to the electrical properties of your finger. Resistive touchscreens respond to pressure and can be used with a stylus or glove.
No, there are different technologies (capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave) with varying levels of sensitivity, cost, durability, and support for multi-touch.
A display screen on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device that responds to the touch of a finger or stylus, allowing direct interaction without a separate keyboard or mouse.
Touchscreen is usually neutral to technical in register.
Touchscreen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʌtʃskriːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtətʃˌskrin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TOUCH + SCREEN: You TOUCH the SCREEN to control it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE INTERFACE IS A PHYSICAL SURFACE (that can be directly manipulated).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary feature of a touchscreen?