adj

opaque

oh-PAYK

adj

Not allowing light to pass through; not transparent or translucent.

"The bathroom window has opaque glass for privacy."

Difficult to understand or see through, especially referring to explanations, processes, or motives.

"The company's pricing policy is frustratingly opaque."

How to Use Opaque

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBlocking light completely, or (figuratively) hard to understand or see clearly into.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "translucent" (lets some light through, but blurs what's behind it) — opaque lets no light through at all.

Easily confused with

translucent → transparent →

Common pairings

opaque glass opaque process opaque language

more opaque comparative, opaquer comparative, opaqued past tense, opaques plural, opaques singular, most opaque superlative, opaquest superlative

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The bathroom window has _____ glass for privacy.

From Latin opacus ("shaded, dark"), via Middle English opake, later reshaped by French opaque.

adiaphanous nontransparent opacous opacular thick

see-through translucent transparent clear obvious oblique bright brilliant

thin thick good distinct overweight light bright beautiful

rue due sue cue hue Que yue Vue Xue blue true flue

adiaphanous nontransparent opacous opacular thick see-through translucent transparent clear obvious oblique bright