Disclosed are a benzyl ether derivative represented by the following formula (I), useful as a liquid crystal display material, and a liquid crystal composition containing the same and a liquid crystal display device utilizing the composition. ##STR1## [wherein A represents a 4-alkylcyclohexyl group or an alkyl group, B represents a di- or tri-fluorophenyl group, a 4-(di- or tri-fluorophenyl)phenyl group, a 4-alkylphenyl group or a 4-alkoxyphenyl group].The compound (I) of the present invention has good compatibility with other compounds, and can be used in a liquid crystal composition by combining with many liquid crystal materials as a constitutional component of the liquid crystal composition. It has functions of lowering a C-N point of a liquid crystal composition, lowering a threshold voltage by enlarging a dielectric anisotropy, and also lowering a viscosity and increasing a N-I point of the liquid crystal composition. Further, according to selection thereof, it is also possible to change an optical anisotropy, and can be advantageously used for improving characteristics of a liquid crystal composition particularly for a TN type, STN type or active type liquid crystal display device.