Definition of translucent
1 : permitting the passage of light:a : transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearlyb : clear, transparent translucent water
2 : free from disguise or falseness his translucent patriotism — Newsweek
translucently
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
translucent was our Word of the Day on 05/19/2010. Hear the podcast!
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Recent Examples of translucent from the Web
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Add the scallops and cook for 5 to 6 minutes total, until grill marks have formed and the scallops are no longer translucent, turning them over once.
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In Australia, the osmanthus jelly, which is a dessert, was a shimmering, translucent amber, saturated with the spring-fever flavors of peaches and flowers.
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Divya Anantharaman of Brooklyn, a fashion designer and taxidermist (whose red-legged honeycreeper would win a second-place award), stood transfixed before a crate of newborn rabbits, translucent and pink.
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Back in 2014, the fashion icon wore a translucent mesh dress, adorned with over 230,000 Swarovski crystals to the CFDA awards.
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The darkness is troubled by the report of nocturnal jackhammers, and all-night arc-welders hollow immense spheres of blue light out of the translucent, steamy atmosphere.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'translucent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Look closely and you will see the same three letters in "translucent" and "elucidate," letting the family relationship between the two words shine through. Both terms descend from the Latin word lucēre, meaning "to shine." ("Translucent" is from "lucēre" plus "trans-," which means "through.") When you "elucidate" something, you make it clear by explaining it in a way that can be easily understood - you "shed light on" it. "Lucēre" is also the root of another bright and shining English word, "lucid," which can mean either "bright with light" or "clear and easy to understand."
Origin and Etymology of translucent
Latin translucent-, translucens, present participle of translucēre to shine through, from trans- + lucēre to shine — more at light
Synonym Discussion of translucent
TRANSLUCENT Defined for English Language Learners
translucent
playDefinition of translucent for English Language Learners
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: not completely clear or transparent but clear enough to allow light to pass through
TRANSLUCENT Defined for Kids
translucent
playDefinition of translucent for Students
: not transparent but clear enough to allow rays of light to pass through
Medical Dictionary
translucent
playMedical Definition of translucent
: permitting the passage of light; especially : transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly
Learn More about translucent
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Spanish Central: Translation of translucent Nglish: Translation of translucent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of translucent for Arabic speakers
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