translucent
Americanadjective
-
Allowing radiation (most commonly light) to pass through, but causing diffusion. Frosted glass, for example, is translucent to visible light.
-
Compare transparent
Related Words
See transparent.
Other Word Forms
- subtranslucence noun
- subtranslucency noun
- subtranslucent adjective
- translucence noun
- translucency noun
- translucently adverb
Etymology
Origin of translucent
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin trānslūcent- (stem of trānslūcēns ), present participle of trānslūcēre “to shine through”; trans-, lucent
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.
Apple almost immediately introduced the bulbous and translucent iMac, a hit product that gave the company the necessary cash flow to survive until he could transform the entire business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
Under strong light, however, they become translucent with a grayish green hue.
From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026
“This very rare geologic feature of translucent petroleum has been filtered by nature,” the sign read.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026
Siphonophores -- largely translucent creatures in fanciful shapes resembling toddlers' drawings -- glowed as they drifted by, and silver, fingernail-sized fish skittered out of the sub's wake.
From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026
She doesn’t even cringe when the man pokes his translucent nose to hers, glaring into her eyes.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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.
