transparent

[ trans-pair-uhnt, -par- ]
See synonyms for transparent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen.

  2. admitting the passage of light through interstices.

  1. so sheer as to permit light to pass through; diaphanous.

  2. easily seen through, recognized, or detected: transparent excuses.

  3. manifest; obvious: a story with a transparent plot.

  4. open; frank; candid: the man's transparent earnestness.

  5. Computers. (of a process or software) operating in such a way as to not be perceived by users.

  6. Obsolete. shining through, as light.

Origin of transparent

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin trānspārent- (stem of trānspārēns) “showing through” (present participle of trānspārēre), equivalent to Latin trāns-trans- + pārent- (stem of pārēns), present participle of pārēre “to appear”; see apparent

synonym study For transparent

1. Transparent , translucent agree in describing material that light rays can pass through. That which is transparent allows objects to be seen clearly through it: Clear water is transparent. That which is translucent allows light to pass through, diffusing it, however, so that objects beyond are not distinctly seen: Ground glass is translucent.

Other words for transparent

Opposites for transparent

Other words from transparent

  • trans·par·ent·ly, adverb
  • trans·par·ent·ness, noun
  • non·trans·par·ent, adjective
  • non·trans·par·ent·ly, adverb
  • non·trans·par·ent·ness, noun
  • sub·trans·par·ent, adjective
  • sub·trans·par·ent·ly, adverb
  • sub·trans·par·ent·ness, noun
  • un·trans·par·ent, adjective
  • un·trans·par·ent·ly, adverb
  • un·trans·par·ent·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with transparent

  • translucent, transparent (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for transparent

transparent

/ (trænsˈpærənt, -ˈpɛər-) /


adjective
  1. permitting the uninterrupted passage of light; clear: a window is transparent

  2. easy to see through, understand, or recognize; obvious

  1. (of a substance or object) permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation: a substance that is transparent to X-rays

  2. candid, open, or frank

Origin of transparent

1
C15: from Medieval Latin transpārēre to show through, from Latin trans- + pārēre to appear

Derived forms of transparent

  • transparently, adverb
  • transparentness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for transparent

transparent

[ trăns-pârənt ]


  1. Allowing radiation or matter to pass through with little or no resistance or diffusion. Compare opaque translucent. See Note at glass.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.