transparency

transparency — noun

1. the property of a material or object that allows light to pass through it, so th

1.nounB1
Definition

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

Example

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]

Common collocations
  • optical transparency
  • high transparency
  • low transparency
  • glass transparency
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • opacity

    the opposite property — light cannot pass through at all

Grammar Patterns

transparency of [noun]

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable. It is most commonly used when describing glass, water, ice, crystals, and other clear solids or liquids.

Common Mistakes

The transparency of the window is broken.
The window is broken.
Transparency is a property, not an object you can break.

2. a thin plastic sheet with an image or words printed on it, designed to be placed

2.nounB2
Definition

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

Example

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

Common collocations
  • overhead transparency
  • colour transparency
  • glass transparency
  • project a transparency
Synonyms
  • slide

    more general term that can refer to photographic film slides or digital slides in presentation software

  • overhead

    informal short form, as in 'I need an overhead for my presentation'

Grammar Patterns

[number] transparency / transparencies

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

I need a transparency for my phone screen.
I need a screen protector for my phone.
A transparency is a projector slide, not a sticky plastic sheet for a phone.

3. the quality of a process, decision, or relationship in which all relevant inform

3.nounB2
Definition

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

Example

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]

Common collocations
  • political transparency
  • corporate transparency
  • government transparency
  • demand transparency
  • promote transparency
  • lack of transparency
  • complete transparency
Synonyms
  • 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

Antonyms
  • secrecy

    the deliberate hiding of information from those who have a right to know it

  • opacity

    used metaphorically to describe something that is difficult to understand or see through

Grammar Patterns

transparency in [noun]

transparency about [noun]

lack of transparency

Usage Note

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'.

Common Mistakes

The company has transparency.
The company is known for its transparency.' or 'The company operates with transparency.
In natural English, transparency is usually described as a quality someone is known for or acts with, not something they simply 'have'.

Word family

  • transparent
    adjectiveB1
  • transparently
    adverbB2
  • opaque
    adjectiveB2
  • opacity
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

Openness, honesty, and accountability are all related to transparency but have distinct shades of meaning. Openness is the broadest term — it suggests a receptive, non-defensive attitude but does not guarantee that all information is actively shared. Honesty focuses on truthfulness in what is said; one can be honest but still fail to volunteer important information. Accountability goes a step further, implying that a person or organisation can be called to answer for its decisions. Transparency sits between openness and accountability: it requires that relevant information is actively made visible, enabling others to judge what is happening. For example, a government that publishes its budget data is showing transparency; whether it acts honestly with those funds is a separate question, and whether citizens can hold it responsible for bad outcomes is accountability.

openness ↗honesty ↗accountability ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • level of transparency
  • degree of transparency
  • lack of transparency
  • for the sake of transparency

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word transparency entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from the Latin transparentem, made up of trans- ('through, across') and parens ('appearing'). It was first used to describe physical materials that could be seen through, like glass or water. The metaphorical sense — referring to openness in government or business — developed much later, becoming widespread in political and corporate language during the late 20th century.