transparent
adjective
trans·par·ent tran(t)s-ˈper-ənt 
1
a(1)
: having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly : pellucid
(2)
: allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (such as X-rays or ultraviolet light)
b
: fine or sheer enough to be seen through : diaphanous
2
a
: free from pretense or deceit : frank
b
: easily detected or seen through : obvious
c
: readily understood
d
: characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices
transparently adverb
transparentness noun
Synonyms
- clear
- crystal
- crystal clear
- crystalline
- limpid
- liquid
- lucent
- pellucid
- see-through
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
bottles of blue transparent glass his meaning in leaving the conversation is transparent: he doesn't want to talk about his combat experiences
Recent Examples on the Web My concern is with students' needs not being met, and decisions for policy and funding are not transparent and made by all stakeholders. 
Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The use of mass records requests by the former president’s supporters effectively weaponizes laws aimed at promoting principles of a democratic system - that the government should be transparent and accountable. Amy Gardner And Patrick Marley, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2022 The use of mass records requests by the former president’s supporters effectively weaponizes laws aimed at promoting principles of a democratic system — that the government should be transparent and accountable. Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 That move struck some observers as a sensible way to help assure the public that the Justice Department’s investigation was transparent and fair. Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 There is a way to be transparent and open without being insensitive or defeatist, even when dealing with cancer. S. Monica Soni, STAT, 6 Sep. 2022 What's really important for voters to understand is, our process is actually as secure and transparent and professional as it's ever been. CBS News, 4 Sep. 2022 Our ability to offer equitable, transparent and human experiences that keep people healthy is the only thing that will set us apart. Madison Butler, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2022 The new system will requires plans to commit to more holistic operations and do more to pay for care that is more accessible, proactive, transparent and culturally competent. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 See More
Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The use of mass records requests by the former president’s supporters effectively weaponizes laws aimed at promoting principles of a democratic system - that the government should be transparent and accountable. Amy Gardner And Patrick Marley, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2022 The use of mass records requests by the former president’s supporters effectively weaponizes laws aimed at promoting principles of a democratic system — that the government should be transparent and accountable. Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 That move struck some observers as a sensible way to help assure the public that the Justice Department’s investigation was transparent and fair. Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 There is a way to be transparent and open without being insensitive or defeatist, even when dealing with cancer. S. Monica Soni, STAT, 6 Sep. 2022 What's really important for voters to understand is, our process is actually as secure and transparent and professional as it's ever been. CBS News, 4 Sep. 2022 Our ability to offer equitable, transparent and human experiences that keep people healthy is the only thing that will set us apart. Madison Butler, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2022 The new system will requires plans to commit to more holistic operations and do more to pay for care that is more accessible, proactive, transparent and culturally competent. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin transparent-, transparens, present participle of transparēre to show through, from Latin trans- + parēre to show oneself
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Kids Definition
transparent
adjective
trans·par·ent trans-ˈper-ənt
1
: clear enough or thin enough to be seen through
2
: easily detected
a transparent lie
Medical Definition
transparent
adjective
trans·par·ent -ənt
1
: having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly
2
: allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (as X-rays or ultraviolet light)
transparent
adjective
1
as in crystal
easily seen through bottles of blue transparent glass Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- crystal
- translucent
- liquid
- clear
- crystalline
- limpid
- lucid
- pellucid
- see-through
- lucent
- crystal clear
- semitransparent
- sheer
- colorless
- uncolored
- diaphanous
- glassy
- semitranslucent
- vitreous
- transparentized
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- opaque
- colored
- cloudy
- dark
- tinted
- glazed
- smoky
- dense
- hazy
- nebulous
- foggy
- misty
- turbid
- murky
- muddy
- filmy
- smokey
2
as in clear
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation his meaning in leaving the conversation is transparent: he doesn't want to talk about his combat experiences Synonyms & Similar Words
- clear
- straightforward
- obvious
- apparent
- evident
- unmistakable
- distinct
- visible
- luminous
- lucid
- simple
- plain
- broad
- unambiguous
- pellucid
- perspicuous
- unequivocal
- comprehensible
- patent
- crystal clear
- manifest
- intelligible
- barefaced
- understandable
- decided
- ringing
- explicit
- palpable
- bald
- unambivalent
- tangible
- clear-cut
- nonambiguous
- open-and-shut
- luculent
- noticeable
- bright-line
- bald-faced
- knowable
- graspable
- uncomplicated
- digestible
- sensible
- tidy
- recognizable
- comprehendible
- fathomable
- readable
- observable
- overt
- undisguised
- discernible
- perceptible
- self-explanatory
- appreciable
- legible
- clean
- self-evident
- cognoscible
- cognizable
- decipherable
- well-defined
- clean-cut
- trenchant
- fair
- discernable
- black-and-white
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dark
- ambiguous
- obscure
- mysterious
- indistinct
- enigmatic
- cryptic
- unclear
- clouded
- equivocal
- incomprehensible
- unintelligible
- indecipherable
- obfuscated
- imperceptible
- subtle
- gray
- grey
- unknowable
- unfathomable
- vague
- impalpable
- murky
- cloudy
- enigmatical
- gauzy
- hazy
- unclarified
- nebulous
- slippery
- sketchy
- unapparent
- noncommittal
- imprecise
- nonobvious
- insensible
- indeterminate
- misty
- inappreciable
- indiscernible
- indefinite
- unreadable
- illegible
- undecipherable
3
as in translucent
very thin and easy to see through flowy summer dresses made partly of chiffon or other transparent fabrics Synonyms & Similar Words
- translucent
- sheer
- diaphanous
- crystal
- see-through
- gauzy
- gossamer
- clear
- filmy
- fragile
- gauzelike
- liquid
- cobwebby
- gossamery
- delicate
- crystalline
- limpid
- pellucid
- lucid
- lucent
- peekaboo
- colorless
- flimsy
- uncolored
- insubstantial
- unsubstantial
- dainty
- frail
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- opaque
- cloudy
- murky
- smoky
- hazy
- nebulous
- misty
- foggy
- dull
- drab
- smokey
- lackluster
- lusterless
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of transparent are clear, limpid, and translucent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.
a transparent sheet of film
The words clear and transparent can be used in similar contexts, but clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.
clear water
The words limpid and transparent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.
her eyes were limpid pools of blue
The meanings of translucent and transparent largely overlap; however, translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.
translucent frosted glass