adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The top surface of a desk.
2. 2
   (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear wordnet
3. 3
   A desktop computer.

   "Laptops are often more expensive than desktops."

4. 4
   the top of a desk wordnet
5. 5
   A personal computer, as opposed to computers for business or server purposes.

Show 2 more definitions

6. 6
   The main graphical user interface of an operating system, usually displaying icons, windows and background wallpaper.

   "I installed a new application and it added its icon to my desktop."

7. 7
   The wallpaper of this interface.

   "For quotations using this term, see Citations:desktop."

Adjective

1. 1
   Designed for use on a desk or similar piece of furniture. not-comparable
2. 2
   Of an application or website, designed to be run or viewed on a personal computer. not-comparable

   "desktop browser"

Synonyms

All synonyms

backgroundbackgrounddesktop computerdesktop computerdesktop picturedesktop picture

Example

More examples

"I created a shortcut on the desktop."

Etymology

From desk + top.

Related phrases

crash to desktopcrash-to-desktopdesktop accessorydesktop calendardesktop computerdesktop environmentdesktop mascotdesktop mascotdesktop metaphordesktop organiserdesktop organizerdesktop picture

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.