opacity
noun
opac·i·ty ō-ˈpa-sə-tē 
plural opacities
1
a
: obscurity of sense : unintelligibility
b
: the quality or state of being mentally obtuse : dullness
2
: the quality or state of a body that makes it impervious to the rays of light
broadly : the relative capacity of matter to obstruct the transmission of radiant energy
3
: an opaque spot in a normally transparent structure (such as the lens of the eye)
Synonyms
- ambiguity
- ambiguousness
- darkness
- equivocalness
- equivocation
- inscrutability
- inscrutableness
- murkiness
- mysteriousness
- nebulosity
- nebulousness
- obliqueness
- obliquity
- obscurity
- opaqueness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the opacity of the glass Critics have noted the opacity of her writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web With his re-election, Angola’s vital oil sector may continue to be challenged by the opacity that has made competition and efficiency difficult. 
Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 26 Aug. 2022 Lululemon's Align shorts are sure to provide acceptable opacity. Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 But in contrast to the opacity of the traditional finance industry, crypto-specific regulations have the potential to take advantage of crypto’s own native characteristics, such as its digital-first format and inherent transparency. Matt Van Buskirk, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 On top of this problem, the No Surprises Act does very little to deal with the opacity of communication built into the health care billing system. Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 22 June 2022 Their constant, roving patrol, their opacity and ubiquity, their bland and cutesy sameness, their programmatic logic seemed to presage a future without privacy or mystery. Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 20 July 2022 China takes it to the extreme, tapping nationwide reservoirs of data that allow the police to operate with opacity and impunity. New York Times, 25 June 2022 For the average shopper, this opacity can magnify the sense that a particular style has become inescapable overnight, largely unbidden. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 23 June 2022 Only the shadows cast by objects will appear, so opacity, size, and shape are key. Kim Hutchison, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2022 See More
Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 26 Aug. 2022 Lululemon's Align shorts are sure to provide acceptable opacity. Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 25 Aug. 2022 But in contrast to the opacity of the traditional finance industry, crypto-specific regulations have the potential to take advantage of crypto’s own native characteristics, such as its digital-first format and inherent transparency. Matt Van Buskirk, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 On top of this problem, the No Surprises Act does very little to deal with the opacity of communication built into the health care billing system. Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 22 June 2022 Their constant, roving patrol, their opacity and ubiquity, their bland and cutesy sameness, their programmatic logic seemed to presage a future without privacy or mystery. Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 20 July 2022 China takes it to the extreme, tapping nationwide reservoirs of data that allow the police to operate with opacity and impunity. New York Times, 25 June 2022 For the average shopper, this opacity can magnify the sense that a particular style has become inescapable overnight, largely unbidden. Amanda Mull, The Atlantic, 23 June 2022 Only the shadows cast by objects will appear, so opacity, size, and shape are key. Kim Hutchison, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French opacité shadiness, from Latin opacitat-, opacitas, from opacus shaded, dark
First Known Use
1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
opacity
noun
opac·i·ty ō-ˈpas-ət-ē
plural opacities
1
: the quality or state of a body that makes it impervious to the rays of light
broadly : the relative capacity of matter to obstruct by absorption or reflection the transmission of radiant energy (as X-rays, infrared radiation, or sound)
2
: an opaque spot in a normally transparent structure (as the lens of the eye)
opacity
noun
as in ambiguity
the quality or state of having a veiled or uncertain meaning the opacity of the abstract painter's works simply baffles many gallery visitors Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ambiguity
- ambiguousness
- opaqueness
- mysteriousness
- murkiness
- uncertainty
- obliqueness
- complexity
- nebulousness
- mystery
- obliquity
- nebulosity
- inscrutability
- darkness
- obscurity
- equivocation
- haziness
- cloudiness
- equivocalness
- fuzziness
- vagueness
- dimness
- indistinctness
- depth
- impenetrability
- inscrutableness
- indefiniteness
- mistiness
- incomprehensibility
- fogginess
- indirectness
- faintness
- shadow
- obtuseness
- shade
- profoundness
- abstruseness
- difficulty
- circuity
- reconditeness
- deepness
- complication
- incomprehensibleness
- circuitousness
- abstrusity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- brightness
- clarity
- clearness
- intelligibility
- legibility
- obviousness
- comprehensibility
- plainness
- certainty
- distinctness
- visibility
- lucidity
- exactness
- definiteness
- openness
- perspicuity
- directness
- explicitness
- incision
- incisiveness
- readability
- surety
- forthrightness
- straightforwardness
- tangibility
- self-evidence
- palpability
- lucidness
- perspicuousness
- obviousness
- readableness
- tangibleness