translucent

American  

[trans-loo-suhnt, tranz-] / trænsˈlu sənt, trænz- /

adjective

1. permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that persons, objects, etc., on the opposite side are not clearly visible.

   Frosted window glass is translucent but not transparent.

   Antonyms:

   opaque

2. easily understandable; lucid.

   a translucent explication.

3. clear; transparent.

   translucent seawater.

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translucent British  

/ trænzˈluːsənt /

adjective

1. allowing light to pass through partially or diffusely; semitransparent

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translucent Scientific  

/ trăns-lo̅o̅′sənt /

1. Allowing radiation (most commonly light) to pass through, but causing diffusion. Frosted glass, for example, is translucent to visible light.

2. Compare transparent

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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

This is not the moment to rush; most good soups start quietly, with onions turning translucent or spices warming until they smell like themselves.

From Salon

“This very rare geologic feature of translucent petroleum has been filtered by nature,” the sign read.

From Los Angeles Times

It was translucent and tasted like red grape, only sweeter and deeper.

From Literature

Maybe it’s her fine, wispy white-blond hair or her pale, almost translucent skin.

From Literature

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

Related Words

• crystalline
• luminous
• see-through