opaque

/əʊˈpeɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /əʊˈpeɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ō-ˈpāk/ (ame, mw)

opaque — adjective

  • opaquepositive
  • more opaquecomparative
  • most opaquesuperlative

1. describes a material or surface that light cannot pass through, so you cannot se

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a material or surface that light cannot pass through, so you cannot see what is behind it.

例句

Bao pulled the opaque shower curtain closed before turning on the water.

collocation: opaque shower curtain

The lab stored the chemical in an opaque white bottle.

collocation: opaque bottle

同義詞
  • nontransparent

    technical and less common in everyday speech

  • solid

    used for colours, paint, or fabric when nothing shows through

反義詞
  • transparent

    light passes through and objects behind are clearly visible

  • translucent

    lets some light through, but the view behind is blurred

用法筆記

Usually used for glass, plastic, curtains, film, bottles, and other surfaces where blocking light or visibility matters. Transparent is the direct opposite.

常見錯誤

❌I bought an opaque box because I wanted to see the shoes inside.
✅I bought a transparent box because I wanted to see the shoes inside.
💡opaque means you cannot see through it.

2. describes writing, explanations, or rules that are so unclear that people strugg

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes writing, explanations, or rules that are so unclear that people struggle to work out the meaning.

例句

The policy memo was so opaque that even managers asked for help.

pattern: so opaque that ...

Christopher found the tax form opaque and called his accountant.

pattern: find + noun + opaque

同義詞
  • obscure

    more formal and often used for difficult ideas or texts

  • cryptic

    suggests the message may be mysterious on purpose

  • confusing

    broader and does not always suggest hidden meaning

反義詞
  • clear

    easy to understand without extra effort

  • straightforward

    simple and direct in wording or structure

  • plain

    uses simple language without decoration

用法筆記

Most often used for language, explanations, policies, systems, and official documents. It suggests the meaning is hidden by the wording, not just briefly missing.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher's explanation was opaque, so every student understood it immediately.
✅The teacher's explanation was clear, so every student understood it immediately.
💡opaque means difficult to understand.