user interface

noun

plural user interfaces

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system (such as by selecting presented options or entering text commands)

Likewise, the user interface is remarkably unintuitive, requiring a whirlwind of relentless mouse clicking to move, talk, touch, look, or manipulate onscreen objects.

—Scott A. May

… a new user interface he vows will change the way people use computers.

—InfoWorld

especially : graphical user interface

—abbreviation UI

Examples of user interface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Microsoft continually adds new capabilities and keeps the user interface fresh. —PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025

The most effective tech tends to be platforms that combine data analytics with automation and a clean user interface. —Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

The game’s user interface isn’t exactly intuitive and can be hard to navigate with the many expandable folders and menus. —Melanie Curry, Refinery29, 28 Mar. 2025

As always, the ranking is packaged in our fully sortable user interface and broken down into tiers. —Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for user interface

• asparaginase
• dehydrogenase
• lipoxygenase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase

Kids Definition

user interface

noun

: software that is designed to allow a computer user to interact with the operating system of a machine or system

especially : graphical user interface