An active matrix type liquid crystal display device capable of accomplishing an angle of visual field equal to that of a CRT and controlling the display by an electric field substantially parallel to a substrate surface provides bright display and requires lower power consumption. Pixel electrodes and opposed electrode capable of applying an electric field substantially parallel to a substrate surface is constituted, the pixel electrodes or the opposed electrodes are constituted by transparent electrodes, and the orientation state of a liquid crystal and the axis of polarization of a polarizer are constituted so that dark display is effected at the time when no field is applied. In this way, there can be provided a transverse field system active matrix type liquid crystal display device having a wide visual field angle characteristics, excellent contrast ratio and aperture ratio and capable of improving maximum transmissivity.