Opaque vs. Transparent: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Opaque means not transparent, preventing light from passing through. Transparent means allowing light to pass through, making objects behind it visible.
Key Differences
Opaque materials do not permit the passage of light, rendering objects behind them invisible. In contrast, transparent materials allow light to pass through seamlessly, making objects behind them clearly visible.
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Dec 13, 2023
In an opaque object, light is either absorbed or reflected, preventing visibility through the material. Transparent materials, however, do not obstruct light, enabling clear sight through them.
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Dec 13, 2023
The concept of opacity is linked to the inability of light to penetrate, while transparency is associated with clarity and the unimpeded passage of light.
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Dec 13, 2023
Opaque substances are used for privacy or to block light, as they obscure what lies beyond. Transparent materials are utilized where visibility is essential, as they offer an unobstructed view.
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Dec 13, 2023
The aesthetic value of opaque materials is in their solid appearance, while transparent materials are valued for their ability to offer visual continuity with the surroundings.
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Dec 13, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Visibility
Blocks visibility through the material.
Allows visibility through the material.
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Image Clarity
Does not provide clarity of objects behind.
Provides clear visibility of objects behind.
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Material Usage
Used for privacy or blocking light.
Used in applications requiring visibility.
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Surface Appearance
Generally has a solid or reflective surface.
Characterized by a clear, see-through surface.
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Opaque and Transparent Definitions
Opaque
Not transmitting light; not see-through.
The opaque curtains blocked all sunlight from entering the room.
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Dec 05, 2023
Transparent
Free of deceit; open and straightforward.
The company's transparent policies were appreciated by customers.
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Opaque
Not reflecting light; absorbing light.
The artist used opaque colors to give depth to her painting.
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Transparent
Sheer; thin and clear.
She wore a dress with a transparent overlay.
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Transparent
Transmitting rays of light without scattering them.
The scientist observed cells under a transparent microscope slide.
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Transparent
Allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be seen.
The transparent glass windows showcased the stunning view.
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Transparent
Capable of transmitting light so that objects or images can be seen as if there were no intervening material.
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Opaque
Impenetrable by a form of radiant energy other than visible light
A chemical solution opaque to x-rays.
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Transparent
Permeable to electromagnetic radiation of specified frequencies, as to visible light or radio waves.
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Opaque
So obscure as to be unintelligible
"opaque, elusive, minimal meanings" (John Simon).
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Dec 05, 2023
Opaque
Something that is opaque, especially an opaque pigment used to darken parts of a photographic print or negative.
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Transparent
Open to public scrutiny; not hidden or proprietary
Transparent financial records.
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Dec 05, 2023
Opaque
Allowing little light to pass through, not translucent or transparent.
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Dec 05, 2023
Opaque
(figuratively) Unclear, unintelligible, hard to get or explain the meaning of.
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Dec 05, 2023
Transparent
(of a material or object) See-through, clear; having the property that light passes through it almost undisturbed, such that one can see through it clearly.
The waters of the lake were transparent until the factory dumped waste there.
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Transparent
(of a system or organization) Open, public; having the property that theories and practices are publicly visible, thereby reducing the chance of corruption.
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Dec 05, 2023
Opaque
(computing) Describes a type for which higher-level callers have no knowledge of data values or their representations; all operations are carried out by the type's defined abstract operators.
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Transparent
Obvious; readily apparent; easy to see or understand.
His reasons for the decision were transparent.
I love playing poker with Steve, because he's so transparent.
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Transparent
(signal processing) Having the property of transparency, i.e. sufficiently accurate that the compressed result is perceptually indistinguishable from the uncompressed input.
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Transparent
(computing) Not noticeable because it happens automatically or in the background; invisible.
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Transparent
Of an image or animated gif, having parts that do not overwrite the color of the background the image is placed over.
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Dec 05, 2023
Opaque
Impervious to the rays of light; not transparent; as, an opaque substance.
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Dec 05, 2023
Transparent
Having the property of transmitting rays of light, so that bodies can be distinctly seen through; pervious to light; diaphanous; pellucid; as, transparent glass; a transparent diamond; - opposed to opaque.
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Transparent
Admitting the passage of light; open; porous; as, a transparent veil.
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Transparent
Transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity;
The cold crystalline water of melted snow
Crystal clear skies
Could see the sand on the bottom of the limpid pool
Lucid air
A pellucid brook
Transparent cristal
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Opaque
Not clear; not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy;
Opaque windows of the jail
Opaque to X-rays
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Transparent
So thin as to transmit light;
A hat with a diaphanous veil
Filmy wings of a moth
Gauzy clouds of dandelion down
Gossamer cobwebs
Sheer silk stockings
Transparent chiffon
Vaporous silks
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Transparent
Easily understood or seen through (because of a lack of subtlety);
A transparent explanation
A transparent lie
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Transparent
Easy to perceive or detect; obvious.
His intentions were transparent and honest.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can transparency vary in degree?
Yes, some materials are more transparent than others.
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Dec 13, 2023
Can transparent objects be colored?
Yes, transparent objects can have color while still letting light pass through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Are all opaque objects solid?
While many are solid, opacity refers to light transmission, not solidity.
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Dec 13, 2023
What's an example of an opaque material in nature?
Wood is a common opaque material found in nature.
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Is water transparent?
Pure water is transparent, allowing light to pass through.
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Is glass always transparent?
Not necessarily; glass can be treated to be opaque.
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Dec 13, 2023
How does frosted glass differ from transparent glass?
Frosted glass scatters light, making it translucent, not transparent.
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Can transparency be altered?
Yes, through treatments or changes in material composition.
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Dec 13, 2023
Is ice opaque or transparent?
Ice is typically transparent, but can appear opaque if filled with air bubbles.
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What is an example of a transparent object in everyday life?
A common example is a clear glass window.
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Dec 13, 2023
What does opaque mean in terms of light transmission?
Opaque objects do not allow light to pass through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Is plastic always opaque?
No, plastic can be manufactured to be either opaque or transparent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Can a substance be both opaque and transparent?
Not simultaneously, but some materials can change between the two states.
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Is air opaque or transparent?
Air is transparent, allowing light to pass through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Are there any transparent metals?
Most metals are opaque, but certain thin metal films can be semi-transparent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Can opacity affect color perception?
Yes, opaque objects may appear more vivid than transparent ones.
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Dec 13, 2023
Does temperature affect transparency?
In some materials, temperature changes can affect their transparency.
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Dec 13, 2023
Can transparent materials reflect light?
Yes, but they primarily allow light to pass through.
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Dec 13, 2023
Are mirrors considered opaque or transparent?
Mirrors are opaque as they reflect light instead of transmitting it.
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Dec 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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