Computer Basics and Word Processing Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Student Dictionary for Computer Basics and Word Processing.

APPLICATION

Another word for a program or software.

BOLD

A font style that makes letters and words darker.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT or CPU

Where all of the data you input into the computer is filed and turned into useful informational text.

CLICKING

Pointing to something on the screen and then pushing the right or left buttons on the mouse.

CURSOR

The line or arrow that you control by moving the mouse.

DESKTOP

The screen you see first when your computer turns on. This screen has many icons.

DIALOGUE BOX

A window that opens and asks you questions.

DISK DRIVE

The place where you put your CD or your USB Drive, so that you can save files on it.

DISKS

One way to save your work, like recording on a video tape. Out dated, you don’t see many disk drives any more.

DOCUMENT

Anything you create in Microsoft Word is called a document.

FILE

A piece of computer information such as a document or part of a computer program.

FOLDER

Like a file folder in a filing cabinet, a file is where documents (letters, spreadsheets, etc.) are kept.

FONT

The way letters and words look.

FORMAT

Changing the way that text looks on the page.

HARDWARE

All the parts of the computer that you can touch: the monitor, CPU, printer, mouse, and keyboard.

HARD DRIVE

The place inside your computer where programs and files are stored.

HEADSET

Earphones and a microphone that you wear on your head.

HIGHLIGHT/SELECTING

Click and drag across a word or sentence to highlight it. When it is highlighted you can make changes to it.

ICON

Symbols or pictures that you can click on to perform an action. Each program has its own icon.

ITALICS

A font style that slants words to the right.

KEYBOARD

Like a typewriter, it’s where you type and enter numbers. It is one way to tell the computer what you want it to do.

LAPTOP

A portable computer that you can carry with you.

Mac or MACINTOSH

A computer made by Apple Computers. It uses the Macintosh operating system. There are two basic kinds of computers: PCs and Macs.

MENU BAR

The words at the top of the screen. Click on these words and you see menus of other things you can do.

MENU

A list of other things you can do. You see a menu when you click on one of the words on the Menu Bar.

MICROSOFT

A software company owned by Bill Gates. He developed the Windows based Operating System that you are using on this computer.

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT

A software program for making presentations that you can show to others.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS

An operating system made by the Microsoft company. The latest version is Windows $8$.

MICROSOFT WORD

A word-processing program for typing letters, resumes, school papers and more.

MINIMIZE

To move a window to the bottom of the screen without closing the window.

MAXIMIZE

To expand a window to the full size of the screen.

RESTORE

To make a window smaller so that you can change the size or position.

MONITOR

Your computer’s screen. It allows you to see what the CPU is doing with the data you have entered into it.

MOUSE

The tool you can use tell the computer what to do. For example you can open programs and files by clicking or double clicking.

OPEN

A command on the File Menu that brings files onto the screen so that you can see them.

OPERATING SYSTEM

The most important program in your computer. This program is like the “manager” of all of the other programs.

PC = PERSONAL COMPUTER

A computer that is made to use the Windows operating system. There are two basic kinds of computers: PCs and Macs.

POINT

The size of text, such as $12$ point, $16$ point, and $24$ point.

PROGRAMS

Another word for software or applications.

SCREEN SAVER

A design on the screen that turns on if you don’t use your computer for a few minutes.

SCROLL BARS

The bars on the sides of the screen that allow you to move up or down the page.

SOFTWARE

Another word for programs, instructions in the computer that help it do different tasks.

SPELL CHECK

When you’re using Microsoft Word, you can click on this button to look for spelling and grammar mistakes.

SPREADSHEET

Organizes information into rows and columns and often uses math and numbers.

TOOL BARS

The bars across the top of the screen that have icons you click on to do different things.

USB DRIVE

A disk that you can save information on. Also called a flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive.

WORD PROCESSING

Typing documents on a computer. Word processing also allows you to format, save, and edit your writing.