opaque

[ oh-peyk ]

adjective

1. not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through.

   Synonyms: muddy, cloudy, murky

2. not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc.
3. not shining or bright; dark; dull.
4. hard to understand; not clear or lucid; obscure:

   The problem remains opaque despite explanations.

5. dull, stupid, or unintelligent.

noun

1. something that is opaque.
2. Photography. a coloring matter, usually black or red, used to render part of a negative opaque.

verb (used with object)

, o·paqued, o·paqu·ing.

1. Photography. to cover up blemishes on (a negative), especially for making a printing plate.
2. to cause to become opaque.

opaque

/ əʊˈpeɪk /

adjective

1. not transmitting light; not transparent or translucent
2. not reflecting light; lacking lustre or shine; dull
3. not transmitting radiant energy, such as electromagnetic or corpuscular radiation, or sound
4. hard to understand; unintelligible
5. unintelligent; dense

noun

1. photog an opaque pigment used to block out particular areas on a negative

verb

1. to make opaque
2. photog to block out particular areas, such as blemishes, on (a negative), using an opaque

opaque

/ ō-pāk′ /

1. 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.
2. Compare translucent

Derived Forms

• oˈpaquely, adverb
• oˈpaqueness, noun

Other Words From

• o·paquely adverb
• o·paqueness noun
• subo·paque adjective
• subo·paquely adverb
• subo·paqueness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opaque¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English opake, from Latin opācus “shaded”

Word History and Origins

Origin of opaque¹

C15: from Latin opācus shady

Example Sentences

Redmayne describes the original onscreen Jackal as charismatic, but still opaque.

From Los Angeles Times

Donald Trump’s position on abortion was opaque enough that even states that passed protections for abortion rights still voted for him by a large margin.

From Slate

Adani’s power deal with Bangladesh, signed in 2015, was one of the many under Sheikh Hasina, which the current interim government has called opaque.

From BBC

"And really, the exact figure, the volume or the breakdown in percentage is actually quite opaque."

From BBC

And Hamas’ post-Sinwar power structure is too opaque to know whether anything said at a bargaining table in Doha or Cairo would be obeyed in the tunnels of Gaza.

From Slate

Related Words

• blurred
• cloudy
• dirty
• dull
• frosty
• gloomy
• hazy
• impenetrable
• murky
• thick