opaque

[oh-peyk]

adjective

1. not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through.

   Synonyms: muddy, cloudy, murky

2. not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc.

3. not shining or bright; dark; dull.

4. hard to understand; not clear or lucid; obscure.

   The problem remains opaque despite explanations.

5. dull, stupid, or unintelligent.

noun

1. something that is opaque.

2. Photography.,  a coloring matter, usually black or red, used to render part of a negative opaque.

verb (used with object)

opaqued, opaquing 

1. Photography.,  to cover up blemishes on (a negative), especially for making a printing plate.

2. to cause to become opaque.

opaque

/ əʊˈpeɪk /

adjective

1. not transmitting light; not transparent or translucent

2. not reflecting light; lacking lustre or shine; dull

3. not transmitting radiant energy, such as electromagnetic or corpuscular radiation, or sound

4. hard to understand; unintelligible

5. unintelligent; dense

noun

1. photog an opaque pigment used to block out particular areas on a negative

verb

1. to make opaque

2. photog to block out particular areas, such as blemishes, on (a negative), using an opaque

opaque

1. Resistant to the transmission of certain kinds of radiation, usually light. Metals and many minerals are opaque to light, while being transparent to radio waves and neutrinos.

2. Compare translucent transparent

Other Word Forms

• opaquely adverb
• opaqueness noun
• subopaque adjective
• subopaquely adverb
• subopaqueness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opaque¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English opake, from Latin opācus “shaded”

Word History and Origins

Origin of opaque¹

C15: from Latin opācus shady

Example Sentences

The most notable addition to the story is a sequence depicting the Phantom’s humiliating past as part of a freak show—a clever innovation that slightly humanizes this opaque character.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“It is critical that policymakers support the affordable coverage options Americans count on today while also addressing the drivers of rising costs, including drugmakers’ exorbitant prices and hospitals’ opaque billing practices, ” Bond said.

Read more on MarketWatch

At first, it merely provided quotes for what had been an opaque over-the-counter market for unlisted stocks.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Critics say opaque returns and higher costs make private equity a risky bet for retirement savers.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Now you have to figure out what is happening in another, often opaque region.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• blurred www.thesaurus.com
• cloudy 
• dirty 
• dull 
• frosty 
• gloomy 
• hazy 
• impenetrable 
• murky 
• thick