Provided are: a liquid crystalline compound which has high stability with respect to heat, light and the like, high clearing point, low lower limit temperature of a liquid crystal phase, low viscosity, adequate optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy, adequate elastic constant and excellent compatibility with other liquid crystalline compounds; a liquid crystal composition which contains the compound; and a liquid crystal display element which comprises the composition. A compound represented by formula (1). In formula (1), for example, R1 represents an alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1-9 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2-10 carbon atoms; R2 represents an alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1-9 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 3-10 carbon atoms; ring A1 represents 1, 4-cyclohexylene or 1, 4-phenylene; ring A2 represents 1, 4-cyclohexylene or 1, 4-phenylene; each of Z1 and Z2 represents a single bond; Z3 represents -O- or a single bond; and L1 represents F, CF3 or CF2H.