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)
Examples of opacity in a Sentence
the opacity of the glass
Critics have noted the opacity of her writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, market opacity, driven by inconsistent pricing data and fragmented supply chains, can obscure real-time value.
—
Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The market chooses opacity for a reason.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
But over the past dozen years, opacity reigned amid the rise of the streamers, which held on to internal metrics with an iron fist.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The result will be opacity, uncertainty, greater financial risk and (especially) a persistent suspicion that inflation is being understated — all of which will push long-term bond yields higher and add to the cost of borrowing for consumers and producers alike.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opacity
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Sahit Muja, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The market chooses opacity for a reason.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
But over the past dozen years, opacity reigned amid the rise of the streamers, which held on to internal metrics with an iron fist.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025
The result will be opacity, uncertainty, greater financial risk and (especially) a persistent suspicion that inflation is being understated — all of which will push long-term bond yields higher and add to the cost of borrowing for consumers and producers alike.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opacity
Cite this Entry
“Opacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opacity. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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)
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