The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a low viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a small pretilt angle, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, and a high stability to heat, or provides a liquid crystal composition that is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. The invention provides an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a high contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. A liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes three components, wherein the first component is a specific difluoroalkenyldicyclohexane compound having a small viscosity, the second component is a specific compound having difluoromethyleneoxy bond having a large dielectric anisotropy, and the third component is a specific terphenyl compound having a large optical anisotropy.