A liquid crystal display device has a plurality of pixel elements, the optical transmissivity of which is varied by suitable electrical signals. The liquid crystal display device has electrodes which apply electric fields to a liquid crystal layer (50), the electric fields having components in a direction generally parallel to the liquid crystal layer (50). Each pixel element has at least one pixel electrode (1) which extends in a common direction as signal electrodes (12) and common electrodes (2) which extend over several pixel elements. The common electrodes (2) may be on the same side of the liquid crystal layer (50) as the pixel and signal electrodes (1,2), or they may be on opposite sides. Each pixel may have two pixel electrodes (1) with the signal electrode (12) therebetween and there are then a pair of common electrodes (2) with the pixel electrodes (1) therebetween. The common electrodes (2) may be common to adjacent pixel elements. The pixel electrodes (1) and the common electrodes (2) may be separated by an insulating film.