A sufficiently wide viewing angle characteristic is obtained while a sufficient front contrast is ensured. With respect to the light transmitted by a polarizing plate and a phase difference plate before exiting from a liquid crystal display device, the viewing angle in the 12-6 o'clock direction is improved by a phase difference plate. By a light diffusing plate, a sufficient front contrast is ensured by causing the light to exit in the direction of the normal and the light is diffused in the 9-3 o'clock direction where the viewing angle is not improved by the phase difference plate. In the case where the light diffusing plate has a double refractivity, the liquid crystal display apparatus is arranged so that the light is transmitted by the light diffusing plate after transmitted by a polarizing plate. In the case where the light diffusing plate has no double refractivity, the liquid crystal display apparatus is arranged so that the light is transmitted by the polarizing plate after transmitted by the light diffusing plate.