Liquid crystal compositions are provided having a high "higher limit temperature" of a nematic phase, a low "lower limit temperature" of a nematic phase, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, low threshold voltage and large specific resistance. The composition includes at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (2) as a second component, at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (3) as a third component, and at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formulae (4) and (5) as a fourth component: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl; R.sup.2 is alkenyl; R.sup.3 is alkyl or alkenyl; A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 are 1,4-phenylene, for example; Z.sup.1, Z.sup.2, and Z.sup.3 are a single bond, for example; Y.sup.1 and Y.sup.2 are fluorine, for example.