transparent

[ trans-pair-uhnt, -par- ]

adjective

1. having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen.

   Synonyms: crystalline, limpid, pellucid, clear

   Antonyms: opaque

2. admitting the passage of light through interstices.
3. so sheer as to permit light to pass through; diaphanous.
4. easily seen through, recognized, or detected:

   transparent excuses.

5. manifest; obvious:

   a story with a transparent plot.

6. open; frank; candid:

   the man's transparent earnestness.

   Antonyms: secretive

7. Computers. (of a process or software) operating in such a way as to not be perceived by users.
8. Obsolete. shining through, as light.

transparent

/ trænsˈpærənt; -ˈpɛər- /

adjective

1. permitting the uninterrupted passage of light; clear

   a window is transparent

2. easy to see through, understand, or recognize; obvious
3. (of a substance or object) permitting the free passage of electromagnetic radiation

   a substance that is transparent to X-rays

4. candid, open, or frank

transparent

/ trăns-pâr′ənt /

1. Allowing radiation or matter to pass through with little or no resistance or diffusion.
2. Compare opaqueSee Note at glass

Derived Forms

• transˈparently, adverb
• transˈparentness, noun

Other Words From

• trans·parent·ly adverb
• trans·parent·ness noun
• nontrans·parent adjective
• nontrans·parent·ly adverb
• nontrans·parent·ness noun
• subtrans·parent adjective
• subtrans·parent·ly adverb
• subtrans·parent·ness noun
• untrans·parent adjective
• untrans·parent·ly adverb
• untrans·parent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transparent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin trānspārent- (stem of trānspārēns ) “showing through” (present participle of trānspārēre ), equivalent to Latin trāns- trans- + pārent- (stem of pārēns ), present participle of pārēre “to appear”; apparent

Word History and Origins

Origin of transparent¹

C15: from Medieval Latin transpārēre to show through, from Latin trans- + pārēre to appear

Synonym Study

Transparent , translucent agree in describing material that light rays can pass through. That which is transparent allows objects to be seen clearly through it: Clear water is transparent. That which is translucent allows light to pass through, diffusing it, however, so that objects beyond are not distinctly seen: Ground glass is translucent.

Example Sentences

“We probably weren’t as transparent as we could have been,” Hoover says of the venue change, which occurred before his hiring.

From Los Angeles Times

Thune has pledged to carry out a more transparent leadership style compared to his predecessor and open the Senate floor to more debate and amendments.

From Salon

This should ensure a better, more transparent government.

From Los Angeles Times

Uplift accused regulators of "failing to be transparent" in granting the consents and said Rosebank would damage marine life in the North Sea.

From BBC

At the least, eligibility for VA benefits should reward time of service, using a transparent, sliding scale of benefits that increases based on the length of one’s career.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• candid
• clear-cut
• easy
• honest
• sincere
• straightforward