transparency

American  

[trans-pair-uhn-see, -par-] / trænsˈpɛər ən si, -ˈpær- /

noun

plural

transparencies

1. Also transparence. the quality or state of being transparent.

2. something transparent, especially a picture, design, or the like on glass or some translucent substance, made visible by light shining through from behind.

3. Photography.

   1. the proportion of the light that is passed through the emulsion on an area of a photographic image.

   2. a photographic print on a clear base for viewing by transmitted light.

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transparency British  

/ -ˈpɛər-, trænsˈpærənsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: transparence.  the state of being transparent

2. 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

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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

Explanation

The condition of being clear or transparent is transparency. The transparency of your car's windshield might be affected by how badly your car needs to be washed. Something has transparency if you can see through it, like the ice on the top of a frozen lake or a glass. Transparency can also refer to a figurative kind of clearness or openness, which is what people mean when they talk about "government transparency." If you can see clearly, without anything being hidden, what you're looking at (or through) has transparency. Its root is the Latin word transparentem, which means "see light through."

Example Sentences

In March, Apple Music said it was introducing "transparency tags" and would eventually require that music labels and distributors self-disclose when new songs or related content involve AI.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

"It may be that under Warsh, we're going to see less Fed transparency, less Fed communication than we had in the past," he said, referring to Warsh's confirmation hearing testimony.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

In a letter addressed to Johnson and Jeffries, the lawmakers urged both House leaders to push the Ethics Committee to “expedite their investigation” with more transparency, including public hearings.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

“I would expect Powell, either directly or indirectly, to defend transparency and the value of facing the public and journalists and explaining themselves,” she added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

Then he showed a transparency of the story about the boy and the divorce.

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• clarity