transparent

[ trans-pair-uhnt, -par- ]

adjective

1. 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

2. admitting the passage of light through interstices.
3. so sheer as to permit light to pass through; diaphanous.
4. easily seen through, recognized, or detected:

   transparent excuses.

5. manifest; obvious:

   a story with a transparent plot.

6. open; frank; candid:

   the man's transparent earnestness.

   Antonyms: secretive

7. Computers. (of a process or software) operating in such a way as to not be perceived by users.
8. Obsolete. shining through, as light.

transparent

/ -ˈpɛər-; trænsˈpærənt /

adjective

1. permitting the uninterrupted passage of light; clear

   a window is transparent

2. easy to see through, understand, or recognize; obvious
3. (of a substance or object) permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation

   a substance that is transparent to X-rays

4. candid, open, or frank

transparent

/ trăns-pâr′ənt /

1. Allowing radiation or matter to pass through with little or no resistance or diffusion.
2. Compare opaqueSee Note at glass

Derived Forms

• transˈparently, adverb
• transˈparentness, noun

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of transparent¹

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”; apparent

Word History and Origins

Origin of transparent¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch.

From The Daily Beast

Ultimately, disclosure laws are an essential tool for promoting transparent supply chains and corporate accountability.

From The Daily Beast

Hopefully there will be a transparent accounting of what was introduced.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, spending in our elections is far from transparent.

From The Daily Beast

And charters have repeatedly resisted attempts to make them transparent.

From The Daily Beast

Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.

From Project Gutenberg

The resurrection of Lazarus is a transparent fabrication out of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.

From Project Gutenberg

Her face was mild and pale; but it was the transparent hue of the virgin flower of spring, clad in her veiling leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

May it please your Transparent Highness, I've found out how the needles get into the haystacks.

From Project Gutenberg

The Russians, on the contrary, prefer orange-yellow transparent specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candid
• clear-cut
• easy
• honest
• sincere
• straightforward