transparency
Americannoun
plural
transparencies-
Also transparence. the quality or state of being transparent.
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something transparent, especially a picture, design, or the like on glass or some translucent substance, made visible by light shining through from behind.
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Photography.
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the proportion of the light that is passed through the emulsion on an area of a photographic image.
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a photographic print on a clear base for viewing by transmitted light.
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noun
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Also called: transparence. the state of being transparent
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Also called: slide. a positive photograph on a transparent base, usually mounted in a frame or between glass plates. It can be viewed by means of a slide projector
Usage
What does transparency mean? Transparency is the quality or state of being transparent. It is perhaps most commonly used in a figurative way to refer to a state in which things are free from any attempt to hide something, as in The administration has been praised for its transparency with the press. It can also be used to mean a state in which something is literally transparent—able to be seen through or allowing light to pass through clearly. A clear glass window is transparent in this way. 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 translucence (the noun form of the adjective translucent) is sometimes used as a synonym for transparency. 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, these literal senses of the words are typically used to mean the same thing.Another figurative sense of transparency refers to the state of being obvious or easy to understand or figure out, as in I always appreciate transparency in instructions—the simpler the better.Transparency can also refer to something that is transparent. More specifically, it’s used to refer to a clear sheet (also called a slide) featuring an image that can be projected through the use of a slide projector.Example: Consumer advocates have been pushing the company to increase transparency around its supply chain.
Other Word Forms
- nontransparence noun
- nontransparency noun
Etymology
Origin of transparency
From the Medieval Latin word trānspārentia, dating back to 1585–95. See transparent, -ency
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We have far fewer real journalists in proximity to the Pentagon, which is a major transparency problem," said Roger Stahl, professor of communication studies at the University of Georgia.
From Barron's
Parallels to the 2008 crisis include lack of transparency, banks charging more, and asset managers halting withdrawals.
From Barron's
But the Competition and Markets Authority has in the past identified a lack of transparency and competition in the sector and is primed to monitor prices closely now.
From BBC
This transparency provides constituents with information about how their tax dollars are being spent, what their members of Congress think, and may even sway public opinion.
From Salon
“American taxpayers invest over $100 billion into higher education each year and deserve transparency on how their dollars are being spent,” Keast said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
