transparency
transparency — noun
1. the property of a material or object that allows light to pass through it, so th
the property of a material or object that allows light to pass through it, so that things on the other side can be seen clearly
The transparency of the window glass made the museum display case almost invisible.
uncountable noun describing a physical property
Linh held the sheet of acetate up to the window, admiring its perfect transparency.
transparency of [specific material]
Water clarity and transparency are essential for the health of a coral reef.
When the ice formed on the lake, its transparency surprised even the local fishermen.
Diamond cutters look for stones with high transparency and few internal flaws.
- clarity
focuses on the absence of cloudiness or haziness rather than the ability to see through
- clearness
a simpler, less formal word for the same idea
- translucency
allows some light through but objects behind it are not clearly visible — a similar but distinct property
- opacity
the opposite property — light cannot pass through at all
文法句型
transparency of [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable. It is most commonly used when describing glass, water, ice, crystals, and other clear solids or liquids.
常見錯誤
2. a thin plastic sheet with an image or words printed on it, designed to be placed
a thin plastic sheet with an image or words printed on it, designed to be placed on an overhead projector so the image appears enlarged on a wall or screen
The biology teacher placed a transparency of a frog's anatomy on the overhead projector.
transparency of [subject]: showing what is on the slide
Antonia found a box of old transparencies from her father's university lectures in the attic.
countable plural form: transparencies
Before digital projectors became common, lecturers carried stacks of transparencies to every class.
Wren's transparency melted after she left it too long on the hot projector surface.
The museum archive contained hundreds of glass transparencies from the early twentieth century.
文法句型
[number] transparency / transparencies
用法筆記
Countable — one transparency (singular), several transparencies (plural). This technology was common in classrooms and offices from the 1960s to the early 2000s but is now largely replaced by digital projectors.
常見錯誤
3. the quality of a process, decision, or relationship in which all relevant inform
the quality of a process, decision, or relationship in which all relevant information is shared openly and nothing is deliberately hidden from the people involved
The new mayor promised greater transparency in how the city spends tax money.
transparency in [activity/domain]
Chidi praised the company's transparency about the environmental effects of its factories.
transparency about [topic]
The lack of transparency in the contract negotiations worried Yael and her colleagues.
Journalists worldwide called for more transparency from the pharmaceutical industry.
Patients appreciated the hospital's transparency about treatment costs and possible side effects.
- openness
more general; transparency implies a deliberate sharing of information rather than just a receptive attitude
- honesty
focuses on truthfulness in what is said; transparency is broader, covering all information sharing
- accountability
about being answerable for actions; transparency is a necessary condition for accountability
文法句型
transparency in [noun]
transparency about [noun]
lack of transparency
用法筆記
Common in political, business, and journalistic contexts. Frequently paired with prepositions 'in' (referring to a domain) and 'about' (referring to a topic). Often follows verbs like 'demand', 'promote', 'ensure', and 'improve'.