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transparent
[ trans-pair-uhnt, -par- ]
adjective
- having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen.
Synonyms: crystalline, limpid, pellucid, clear
Antonyms: opaque
- admitting the passage of light through interstices.
- so sheer as to permit light to pass through; diaphanous.
- easily seen through, recognized, or detected:
transparent excuses.
- manifest; obvious:
a story with a transparent plot.
- open; frank; candid:
the man's transparent earnestness.
Antonyms: secretive
- Computers. (of a process or software) operating in such a way as to not be perceived by users.
- Obsolete. shining through, as light.
transparent
/ -ˈpɛər-; trænsˈpærənt /
adjective
- permitting the uninterrupted passage of light; clear
a window is transparent
- easy to see through, understand, or recognize; obvious
- (of a substance or object) permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation
a substance that is transparent to X-rays
- candid, open, or frank
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Derived Forms
- transˈparently, adverb
- transˈparentness, noun
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Other Words From
- trans·parent·ly adverb
- trans·parent·ness noun
- nontrans·parent adjective
- nontrans·parent·ly adverb
- nontrans·parent·ness noun
- subtrans·parent adjective
- subtrans·parent·ly adverb
- subtrans·parent·ness noun
- untrans·parent adjective
- untrans·parent·ly adverb
- untrans·parent·ness noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of transparent1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of transparent1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
This includes “fair management,” which focuses on how transparent the results and outcomes of algorithms are for workers.
In the case of Foundry, he believes that access to a new generation of energy-efficient mining equipment, as well as its transparent business culture—crypto mining is a notoriously opaque industry—will help it succeed.
I would challenge you to find any other company who is entering Phase 3 trials today who have been as transparent about their clinical activities as we have.
Now, machine-learning researchers and scholars are looking for ways to make AI more fair, accountable, and transparent—but also, recently, more participatory.
The group asked for public data disclosure from drug-company grantees, “transparent” accounting to show true vaccine cost and the right to step in and take over a vaccine project if the developer failed to deliver.
And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch.
Ultimately, disclosure laws are an essential tool for promoting transparent supply chains and corporate accountability.
Hopefully there will be a transparent accounting of what was introduced.
Of course, spending in our elections is far from transparent.
And charters have repeatedly resisted attempts to make them transparent.
Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.
The resurrection of Lazarus is a transparent fabrication out of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
Her face was mild and pale; but it was the transparent hue of the virgin flower of spring, clad in her veiling leaves.
May it please your Transparent Highness, I've found out how the needles get into the haystacks.
The Russians, on the contrary, prefer orange-yellow transparent specimens.
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More About Transparent
What does transparent mean?
Transparent is used to describe things that you can see through or things that allow for light to pass through clearly.
A clear glass window is transparent in this way. A very informal synonym is see-through. However, something doesn’t need to be completely clear to be considered transparent. A fine mesh that is able to be seen through could be described as transparent.
The word translucent is sometimes used as a synonym for transparent. In technical contexts, though, describing something as translucent means that it allows light to pass through but diffuses it so that whatever is on the other side cannot be fully seen. For example, a frosted glass window could be said to be translucent but not transparent (you can see what’s on the other side, but not clearly). Still, in everyday conversation, the words are typically used to mean the same thing.
Transparent is also commonly used in a few figurative ways. Most commonly, it describes things that are free from any attempt to hide something, as in a transparent process or The administration has been praised for its willingness to be transparent with the press.
It can also mean obvious or easy to understand or figure out, as in The instructions were very transparent and easy to follow.
Sometimes, transparent is used to describe things that may have been intended to hide something but that are easy to recognize or see through in a figurative sense, as in His excuses are so transparent—everyone knows the real reason he called out of work.
The noun transparency refers to the quality or state of being transparent.
Example: The stadium only allows transparent bags to be brought in so that they can be easily inspected by security.
Where does transparent come from?
The first records of the word transparent come from around 1400. It comes from the Medieval Latin verb transpārēre, meaning “to show through,” from trans-, meaning “through,” and the Latin verb pārēre, meaning “to appear” or “to be visible” (pārēre is also the root of the words appear and apparent).
Describing a process as transparent typically means that it’s completely visible and open to scrutiny—nothing is being hidden. This is especially used in the context of politicians, government agencies, and businesses and calls for them to be transparent. The opposite of this is being secretive.
The opposite of the literal sense of transparent is opaque, which describes things that cannot be seen through at all or that do not let any light pass through them. It can also be used as the opposite of some of the figurative senses of transparent: describing something as opaque can mean that it’s hard to understand.
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What are some other forms related to transparent?
- transparently (adverb)
- transparentness (noun)
- nontransparent (adjective)
- transparency (noun)
What are some synonyms for transparent?
- translucent (in casual use)
- see-through
- clear
- pellucid
- limpid
- crystalline
- apparent
- candid
- open
What are some words that share a root or word element with transparent?
What are some words that often get used in discussing transparent?
What are some words transparent may be commonly confused with?
- translucent (in technical contexts)
How is transparent used in real life?
In a literal sense, transparent is used to describe things that are completely see-through, like clean water and glass. In a figurative sense, transparent is often used in the context of government agencies and companies, which people often call to be more transparent in dealings with citizens and customers.
🔥 Rare Octopus with Completely Transparent Head 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BRB9cSY0oC
— Nature is Lit (@Nature_Is_Lit) November 10, 2020
I've been tracking election results & updates religiously –– GA has run a smoother, more transparent operation than almost anyone.
— Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) November 9, 2020
Supermarkets need to be more transparent with their customers about the steps they are taking to reduce their plastic and waste footprint. The time for action is now!https://t.co/Jr5ujv7ef1#PlasticProtest #TrashTalk pic.twitter.com/OFTIPLnDbh
— Surfers Against Sewage (@sascampaigns) September 10, 2020
Try using transparent!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of transparent?
A. see-through
B. clear
C. opaque
D. limpid
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