opaque
Americanadjective
-
not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through.
-
not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc.
-
not shining or bright; dark; dull.
-
hard to understand; not clear or lucid; obscure.
The problem remains opaque despite explanations.
-
dull, stupid, or unintelligent.
noun
-
something that is opaque.
-
Photography. a coloring matter, usually black or red, used to render part of a negative opaque.
verb (used with object)
-
Photography. to cover up blemishes on (a negative), especially for making a printing plate.
-
to cause to become opaque.
adjective
-
not transmitting light; not transparent or translucent
-
not reflecting light; lacking lustre or shine; dull
-
not transmitting radiant energy, such as electromagnetic or corpuscular radiation, or sound
-
hard to understand; unintelligible
-
unintelligent; dense
noun
verb
-
to make opaque
-
photog to block out particular areas, such as blemishes, on (a negative), using an opaque
-
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.
-
Compare translucent transparent
Other Word Forms
- opaquely adverb
- opaqueness noun
- subopaque adjective
- subopaquely adverb
- subopaqueness noun
Etymology
Origin of opaque
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English opake, from Latin opācus “shaded”
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.
The inner workings of cartels are intentionally opaque to the outside world.
From Los Angeles Times
County officials say they need a judge’s permission to comply with the subpoena and turn over the firm’s records to the bar, giving the typically opaque proceedings a spotlight in open court.
From Los Angeles Times
Leverage in the private-credit ecosystem, while limited relative to institutions like banks, exists in complex and opaque layers.
From MarketWatch
His stories often follow financial flows into some of the most opaque corners of the global economy.
The Wasserman drama highlights the opaque nature of the committee, said Dempsey.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
