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Glite Dictionary
☁️ Remote computer screen 🖥️ Screen background 💻 A computer 🪑 Desk surface
desktop

desktop

37 3.3
The area on a computer screen where program icons, windows, and menus appear
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛsktɒp/
translation icon : escritorio
  • Right-click on an empty space on your desktop to access various display options.

Yeah, that's right, JPG which is located on the desktop.

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Examples

  • Check your desktop.

    This Means War (2012)

  • Annotated screenshots in Jing appear on the desktop as 5-minute presentations.

    Academic text (2013)

  • And it works on both your desktop and your phone.

  • I have more audio, video, and photo files than my desktop can manage.

  • Drag it across the desktop.

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

  • To get to it, you click on the Desktop tile from the start screen.

    Blog text (7)

  • Open File Explorer, then right click the desktop below this PC.

  • I uploaded a file to your desktop.

    Open Windows (2014)

  • We just pushed OpenOffice to every desktop in the district.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Computer-based training can be delivered at any location where a computer is present, including desktops at work and home.

    Academic text (1995)

Synonyms

background
vsdesktop
268 2.1

The area behind the main subject in a picture, on a stage, or on a screen

is the specific computer screen area where icons, windows, and menus appear
screen background
vsdesktop
  • Specialized
1 3.2

The part of a computer screen behind icons and windows

is a single word conventional label for that display area

Compounds

desktop computer
10 1.7

A computer for use at a desk with a separate screen, keyboard, and mouse

desktop publishing
  • Specialized
3 3.7

Making printed items like brochures and newsletters on a computer with special software

Surface Forms

desktop singular
desktops plural

Morphology

desktop = desk + top (semi-transparent) = desk + top

The GUI 'desktop' is a metaphorical extension of the physical desk surface: components are recognizable but the meaning (screen background where icons sit) is figurative.

Etymology

Desktop comes from desk and top, literally 'the top of a desk'. Computer designers used that image for the screen, so icons and windows sit like papers on your desk, which is why the desktop is the screen background.