A liquid crystal composition comprising, for example, a first component of the formula (1-2), a second component of the formula (2-a) and a third component of the formulas (3) and (4), the respective contents being 3 to 30%, 10 to 60% and 20 to 80%, each by weight, ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each independently represent an alkyl group of C.sub.1-10 or an alkenyl group of C.sub.2-10 ; R.sup.7 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an alkoxymethyl group of C.sub.1-10 ; B.sup.1, C, D and J represent 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene; E represents 1,4-cyclohexylene or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl; G represents 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene wherein H at the lateral positions may be replaced by F; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.6 represent --COO--, --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 -- or a single bond; and Z.sup.5 and Z.sup.7 represent --C--C-- or a single bond.