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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Where Yarish sees a difference is Wynona’s emphasis on capturing the feel of those films, rather than making derivative mock-ups of on-screen kit. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 May 2023 While Kyle and Kathy — who joined the RHOBH cast as a friend in season 11 — clashed during season 12 of the reality series, Kyle and Kim also had their fair share of arguments on-screen when Kim was a cast member for five seasons from 2010 until 2015. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 Both are behaviors that come with on-screen warnings not to replicate. Richard Ruelas, USA TODAY, 16 May 2023 His on-screen father, Kevin Costner (John Dutton), is a musician, as well. Rebecca Norris, Country Living, 15 May 2023 This movie has a ton of action, and Shaw 1.0 (who, much like his on-screen brother, also becomes good. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 13 May 2023 The season will also mark G Flip's first on-screen appearance on the hit real estate reality show, though the singer had some initial qualms about the TV debut. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 11 May 2023 In one of their last moments together on-screen, the young versions of the secret couple are seen dancing together before the show cuts to the Bridgerton point in time, where Brimsley is dancing alone. Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 10 May 2023 Did that impact the way the on-screen king and butler related? Adam Rathe, Town & Country, 10 May 2023 See More

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 29 May. 2023.

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