on-screen

adverb or adjective

variants or onscreen
1
: in a motion picture or a television program
But the makers of the 1958 movie understood that this most subtle of writers was telling a tale about the froth of life, and they celebrated it on-screen with gusto.Gerald Asher
The sixth-grader reportedly earned $1 million for starring in the upcoming My Girl, which pairs him with Anna Chlumsky for his first onscreen kiss.Alexander Tresniowski
2
: on a computer or television screen
You can watch a football game, see a small icon onscreen offering player statistics, click it with the remote, and view the stats.Edward W. Desmond
… handheld joysticks and gamepads that jolt and jar with the on-screen action.Leigh Gallagher

Examples of on-screen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Gallagher has ten Broadway credits, most recently starring in the 2015 revival of On the Twentieth Century, and is also known for his on-screen work, including on The O.C. and Grace and Frankie. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024 On the plus side, Windows 11 tablet users have stylus options and on-screen touch keyboard tricks. PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 In the spirit of giving — and blackmail — Bones' second Christmas episode brought fans the first (on-screen) kiss between Booth and Brennan. Kelly Connolly, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 Some of that though, may go over the head of a kindergartner who may not be able to differentiate between the hilarious comedic timing of the actors and the sinister intentions of an on-screen demonic ghoul. Kristina Behr, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 The film’s on-screen love story evolved into a real one off-screen, with Mancuso and Mendes celebrating their one-year anniversary last July. Cat Cardenas, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The organization also spotlights pay equity and on-screen representation issues for Black performers. Shanelle Genai, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 The mother-daughter duo has also worked together on-screen in 18 episodes of Grey's Anatomy in which Vivian played Dr. Hannah Brody and Allen acted in her recurring role of Dr. Catherine Fox. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 The website is personified on-screen by a cartoonish figure (Larry Owens) who taunts poor Alejandro with nonsensical ramblings. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on-screen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of on-screen was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near on-screen

Cite this Entry

“On-screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on-screen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on on-screen

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