Screened
/skriːnd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo subject something or someone to a process or examination to determine suitability, detect something undesirable, or select a group.
/skriːnd/
To examine or inspect something to separate or exclude certain elements.
The job applicants were screened for relevant skills.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a party, and the bouncer screens everyone to make sure only invited guests get in. To screen means to carefully check or examine something or someone to keep certain things out or find out if they're okay.
👶 For kids: To check something to see if it's good or safe, like checking your email for bad messages.
More Examples
They screened the incoming calls to prevent spam.
The committee screened the proposals before making a decision.
The airport security screened all passengers and their luggage.
How It's Used
"The doctor screened the patients for the virus."
"Security personnel screened the bags for prohibited items."
"The studio screened the film for test audiences."
To shield or protect something from unwanted things such as view, light, or attack.
/skriːnd/
To protect something from harm or view.
The curtains screened the room from the bright sunlight.
💡 Simply: Imagine you put up a big umbrella to screen you from the sun. Screened means to shield or protect something from something else.
👶 For kids: To put something in front of something else to hide it or protect it.
More Examples
The building was screened by tall trees.
They screened the athletes from the press after the game.
The soldiers were screened by their shields in the battle.
How It's Used
"The fence screened the garden from the wind."
"The thick trees screened the house from the road."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
screen out
To exclude or eliminate something or someone.
"The computer program screened out the errors."
screen for
To test or examine someone or something to find something specific.
"Doctors screen for diseases like cancer."
From Middle English screnen, from Old French escrener (“to sift”), from Vulgar Latin *cernare, from Latin cernō (“to separate, sift”).
Historically, 'screen' originated as a tool for sifting grains. The verb 'screen' and its past tense 'screened' adopted its meanings by extending the act of filtering and separating unwanted elements.
Memory tip
Think of a screen filtering out the unwanted.
Word Origin
"To sift, separate"