Meaning & use
screen door
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A door with a wire mesh screen that allows air to pass through while keeping out insects.
Grammar: Countable; plural is 'screen doors'. Often used with 'sliding' or 'storm'.
Patterns
- a screen door
- sliding screen door
- screen door to something
She opened the screen door to let the breeze in.
The screen door slammed shut behind him.
We need to fix the torn mesh on the screen door.
Word forms
| plural | screen doors |
|---|
Common combinations
- sliding screen door
- The sliding screen door kept the bugs out while letting in fresh air.
- screen door latch
- The screen door latch was broken, so it wouldn't stay closed.
- screen door mesh
- He replaced the screen door mesh after it got torn.
- open the screen door
- Please open the screen door so the cat can go out.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fly screen
- Common in British English; refers to the same mesh screen, often on windows or doors.
Commonly confused: screen door or storm door?
screen door vs storm door
A storm door is a heavier outer door for protection against bad weather, while a screen door is mainly for ventilation and keeping insects out.
Practice
What is the main purpose of a screen door?
Choose one answer.
A screen door has a mesh that allows air flow but stops insects. The other options describe different types of doors, like storm doors or security doors.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “screen door”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.