Modal dialog
/MOH-dul DY-uh-log/ · noun · OVERLAY pattern · #059
A window that dims the world and demands an answer before anything else can happen. Powerful and rude — spend it only on decisions that truly block.
Also called: modal window, dialog box, popup dialog.
Common questions
What is the popup window that blocks the rest of the page called?
A modal dialog: it dims the page and requires an answer before anything else can happen. If it can be dismissed by clicking anywhere else, it is closer to a non-modal dialog or popover.