Computers Vocabulary
Part of the Science & Technology vocabulary group in Teacher-In-A-Box, this lesson explores the vocabulary used to describe computers and devices, hardware and software, the internet and connectivity, using a computer, and problems and troubleshooting — language useful for talking about technology no matter which device, brand, or program is involved.
Connected vocabulary, not a glossary
Computer vocabulary works as a system.
Talking about computers means talking about the machines themselves (a laptop, a tablet), what makes them run (hardware, software), how they connect to each other (internet, wifi), what people do with them (click, download), and what happens when something goes wrong (crash, bug).
This lesson groups vocabulary by what it’s used to describe — computers and devices, hardware and software, the internet and connectivity, using a computer, and problems and troubleshooting — and shows how the words in each area relate to and differ from one another. Which brands, devices, and programs people use varies enormously from person to person, so this lesson focuses on vocabulary that applies to computers in general rather than any one product.
You will leave this lesson able to describe computers and technology more precisely, whatever device you happen to be using.
1. Computers and devices
Different words describe different kinds of computers.
computer — an electronic machine that processes information and can run many kinds of programs: “She uses her computer for both work and school.”
device — a general word for any piece of electronic equipment with a specific function, such as a phone, tablet, or computer: “He owns several different devices.”
tablet — a small, flat, portable computer operated mainly by touching the screen: “She reads books on her tablet.”
laptop vs. desktop
laptop / desktop — a laptop is a portable computer that can run on its own battery; a desktop is a computer designed to stay in one place, usually with separate parts like a monitor and keyboard: “He does his homework on a laptop, but the office computer is a desktop.”
2. Hardware and software
What a computer is made of versus what runs on it.
program — a set of instructions that tells a computer how to perform a task: “She wrote a program to sort the data automatically.”
app — a program designed for a phone or tablet, though the word is also used more broadly: “He downloaded a new app for tracking expenses.”
update — a new version of software that fixes problems or adds features: “Her phone asked her to install an update.”
hardware vs. software
hardware / software — hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer, such as the screen or keyboard; software refers to the programs and instructions that run on it: “The hardware was fine, but the software needed to be reinstalled.”
3. The internet and connectivity
Vocabulary for how devices connect to each other.
online — connected to the internet, or available through it: “The class meets online on Tuesdays.”
browser — a program used to look at websites: “She opened her browser to search for directions.”
connect — to join a device to a network so it can communicate with others: “He connected his laptop to the printer.”
internet vs. wifi
internet / wifi — the internet is the global network that connects computers and devices around the world; wifi is one common way of connecting a device to that network wirelessly, though not the only way: “The internet was working fine once his phone reconnected to the wifi.”
4. Using a computer
Vocabulary for everyday actions on a computer.
click — to press a button on a mouse, or select something on a screen: “She clicked the link to open the article.”
type — to enter text using a keyboard: “He typed his password carefully.”
save — to store a file so it isn’t lost: “Remember to save your work often.”
download vs. upload
download / upload — to download is to transfer data or a file from another computer, server, service, or location to your device; to upload is to transfer data or a file from your device to another computer, server, service, or location: “She downloaded the form from the website, filled it out, and uploaded it again.”
5. Problems and troubleshooting
Vocabulary for when something goes wrong.
crash — when a program or computer suddenly stops working: “The program crashed while he was saving his work.”
freeze — when a screen or program stops responding to input: “Her laptop froze in the middle of the video call.”
bug — a mistake in a program that causes it to behave unexpectedly: “The developers fixed the bug in the next update.”
virus — a harmful program that can damage a device or spread to others: “He installed antivirus software to protect against viruses.”
Vocabulary in context
See the vocabulary working together.
Here is a short passage using several words from this lesson together.
Her laptop froze right before the meeting, so she had to restart it and reconnect to the wifi. Once she was back online, she quickly downloaded the file she needed and uploaded her completed report before the deadline.
Unpacking what this vocabulary communicates:
froze…restart → describes a device stopping and being brought back to working order.
reconnect to the wifi → refers to one way of getting back online.
downloaded…uploaded → describes moving a file in each direction.
The passage doesn’t name a specific device, operating system, or program, so the vocabulary can be applied to almost any computer situation.
Don’t confuse these
Choosing the right word changes what a sentence communicates.
laptop / desktop
A laptop is portable and runs on its own battery; a desktop is designed to stay in one place.
hardware / software
Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer; software refers to the programs that run on it.
internet / wifi
The internet is the global network itself; wifi is one common way of connecting to it wirelessly.
download / upload
To download is to transfer a file to your device from another computer, server, service, or location; to upload is to transfer a file from your device to another computer, server, service, or location.
Natural word partnerships
These combinations are worth learning as fixed units.
For the general idea behind combinations like these, see:
Common errors
Mistakes are useful when you understand why they happen.
I have opened my computer.
I turned on my computer.
“Turn on” is the natural collocation for starting a device; “open” is used for files or programs.
Please download me the file.
Please download the file for me.
“Download” isn’t followed directly by a person — use “for me,” not “me the file.”
My computer is broken since yesterday.
My computer has been broken since yesterday.
Use the present perfect with “since,” not the simple present.
I did an update on my phone.
I installed an update on my phone.
The natural collocation is “install an update,” not “do an update.”
I need to close of the program.
I need to close the program.
“Close” is followed directly by its object — no “of” is needed.
Your turn
Choose the word that fits.
These activities are part of the learning process. There are no scores, no grades and no limit on how many times you may try.
“A portable computer that can run on its own battery.” Which word best fits?
✅ Exactly! A laptop is portable and runs on its own battery.
❎ Not quite. Which word describes a portable computer?
Which word describes a portable computer?
“The programs and instructions that run on a computer, not its physical parts.” Which word best fits?
✅ Exactly! Software refers to the programs that run on a computer.
❎ Not quite. Which word refers to programs rather than physical parts?
Which word refers to programs rather than physical parts?
“The global network connecting computers, rather than one specific way of connecting to it.” Which word best fits?
✅ Exactly! The internet is the global network itself.
❎ Not quite. Which word describes the network, not one method of connecting to it?
Which word describes the network, not one method of connecting to it?
Try it another way
Complete the sentences.
Type the word that fits each gap.
✅ Exactly! A browser is a program used to look at websites.
❎ Not quite. What word describes a program used to look at websites?
✅ Exactly! To connect is to join a device to a network.
❎ Not quite. What word means “joined a device to a network”?
✅ Exactly! To crash is to suddenly stop working.
❎ Not quite. What word means “suddenly stopped working”?
Notice the difference
Rewrite each sentence using the correct word.
I have opened my computer.
✅ Exactly! “Turn on” is the natural collocation for starting a device.
❎ Not quite. Which verb usually pairs with starting up a device?
I did an update on my phone.
✅ Exactly! The natural collocation is “install an update.”
❎ Not quite. Which verb normally pairs with “an update”?
Alternate practice
Use the vocabulary productively, not just recognise it.
Complete the summary
Fill each gap with one word from this lesson: froze, restart, wifi, downloaded, uploaded.
“Her laptop ___ right before the meeting, so she had to ___ it and reconnect to the ___. Once she was back online, she quickly ___ the file she needed and ___ her completed report before the deadline.”
Sort into groups
Sort these words into the area they belong to (Computers & Devices / Hardware & Software / Internet & Connectivity / Using a Computer / Problems & Troubleshooting):
Describe a situation
In two or three sentences, describe a fictional computer situation using at least four words from this lesson.
Quick review
Five areas, connected by the everyday experience of computers.
Computers and devices — laptop vs desktop, plus computer, device, and tablet.
Hardware and software — hardware vs software, plus program, app, and update.
The internet and connectivity — internet vs wifi, plus online, connect, and browser.
Using a computer — download vs upload, plus click, type, and save.
Problems and troubleshooting — crash, freeze, bug, and virus.
Watch for — laptop vs desktop, hardware vs software, internet vs wifi, download vs upload.
Remember
The specific devices, programs, and services people use change constantly, but the vocabulary for talking about computers stays widely useful.
Which brand, operating system, or app someone uses is a matter of personal choice, but vocabulary such as hardware, browser and upload is useful across almost any computer or device.
Related vocabulary