drop down menu

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop down menu" is a correct and commonly used term in written English.
It refers to a list of options that appears when a user clicks or hovers over a button or menu option. They are commonly used in computer software, websites, and mobile apps. Example: To change your account settings, click on the "Account" button in the top right corner and select the desired option from the drop down menu.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A drop down menu appears.

WikiHow

From the drop down menu, select "Preview".

WikiHow

A drop down menu should display.

WikiHow

Select the Playlist drop down menu.

WikiHow

You will get a drop down menu.

WikiHow

the category (from the drop down menu).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Choose "export" from the drop-down menu.

The New York Times

That opens a drop-down menu.

The New York Times

From the drop-down menu, select Edit.

The New York Times - Tech

Goodbye to the drop-down menu?

The New York Times

7. Select from the drop-down menu.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing user interfaces, use "drop down menu" to clearly indicate a list of options that appears upon interaction. Be consistent in your terminology throughout the documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "drop down menu" to describe static lists or menus that are always visible. This term specifically refers to menus that appear dynamically upon a user's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop down menu" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a specific element in a graphical user interface, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples showing it as a selectable element in interfaces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

59%

News & Media

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop down menu" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a specific type of user interface element. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used in a neutral register across a variety of contexts, particularly in Wiki, News & Media and Academia. While alternative terms like "pull-down menu" exist, "drop down menu" is well-understood and widely used. When writing about user interfaces, it's crucial to use the term consistently to avoid confusion. Remember that this term refers to the menus that appear dynamically and not to static menus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pull-down menu

Uses 'pull-down' instead of 'drop down', a minor variation in wording.

context menu

Refers to a menu that appears upon a right-click, which is a specific type of drop-down.

popup menu

Describes a menu that appears on screen, similar in function but different in appearance.

cascading menu

Describes a menu that expands into submenus, a specific type of drop-down behavior.

selection list

Focuses on the list aspect, emphasizing the options available for selection.

submenu

Refers to a secondary menu that appears within a larger menu structure.

options list

Highlights the availability of multiple options within the menu.

menu options

Highlights the choices presented within a menu.

menu list

A more general term emphasizing the menu's list-like nature.

choice list

Emphasizes the act of choosing from a set of available options.

FAQs

How to use "drop down menu" in a sentence?

You can use "drop down menu" in a sentence like: "Select your preferred language from the "drop down menu" at the top of the page."

What can I say instead of "drop down menu"?

You can use alternatives like "pull-down menu", "context menu", or "popup menu" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "drop down menu" or "drop-down menu"?

Both ""drop down menu"" and "drop-down menu" are generally considered correct, with the hyphenated version often preferred in more formal writing. This guide uses ""drop down menu"".

What's the difference between a "drop down menu" and a "submenu"?

A ""drop down menu"" is a primary menu that appears when you click on a menu item. A "submenu" is a secondary menu that appears within a larger menu structure, often cascading from another menu item.