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desktop

noun · adjective

Simple meaning

The area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

dehsktahp

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈdɛsktɑp

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. computinggraphical user interfacecomputer science

    The area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

  2. computing

    A personal computer, as opposed to computers for business or server purposes.

  3. computing

    A desktop computer.

  4. The top surface of a desk.

  5. computinggraphical user interface

    The main graphical user interface of an operating system, usually displaying icons, windows and background wallpaper.

adjective

  1. Designed for use on a desk or similar piece of furniture.

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

Used this way, desktop is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Specialist/technical
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Specialized
Connotation
Clinical and technical
Usage feel
Technical and specialized

Where it naturally appears

  • Technology
  • Technical/specialist writing
  • Business/professional
  • Science

Usage note

In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use desktop

  • “My new desktop computer sits on my office desk.”noun

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More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

background

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.