English vocabulary · B2
Opaque
/oʊˈpeɪk/ · adj.
It means not clear. Light cannot pass through it. You cannot see what is behind it.
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Example sentences
- The shower glass is opaque for privacy.
- Her answer was opaque; no one understood it.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- opacus — shaded (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- CLOUDY — hard to see through (Everyday & Simple)
- MURKY — dark and unclear (Dark & Dirty)
- UNCLEAR — not easy to understand (General & Neutral)
Similar words
- cloudy
- murky
- unclear
Lesson notes
Opaque. It means not clear. Light cannot pass through it. You cannot see what is behind it.
Related: cloudy, murky, unclear. Use opaque when light or meaning cannot pass through.
The shower glass is opaque for privacy. Her answer was opaque; no one understood it.
From Latin. Opacus- means shaded. A shaded window that light cannot pass through — that is opaque.