Synonyms of transparent

transparent

adjective

tran(t)s-ˈper-ənt 

1

as in crystal

easily seen through

bottles of blue transparent glass

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crystal
• liquid
• clear
• translucent
• crystalline
• lucid
• limpid
• pellucid
• sheer
• crystal clear
• lucent
• see-through
• semitransparent
• colorless
• uncolored
• diaphanous
• glassy
• vitreous
• semitranslucent
• transparentized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• colored
• cloudy
• dark
• tinted
• glazed
• smoky
• hazy
• dense
• nebulous
• misty
• foggy
• muddy
• turbid
• murky
• filmy
• smokey

2

as in clear

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

his meaning in leaving the conversation is transparent: he doesn't want to talk about his combat experiences

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clear
• obvious
• straightforward
• apparent
• evident
• unmistakable
• distinct
• visible
• lucid
• luminous
• simple
• broad
• plain
• unambiguous
• pellucid
• perspicuous
• unequivocal
• manifest
• crystal clear
• clear-cut
• decided
• comprehensible
• barefaced
• ringing
• bright-line
• patent
• intelligible
• palpable
• bald
• understandable
• explicit
• open-and-shut
• unambivalent
• tangible
• nonambiguous
• noticeable
• bald-faced
• luculent
• knowable
• digestible
• uncomplicated
• recognizable
• tidy
• sensible
• observable
• overt
• graspable
• appreciable
• comprehendible
• clean-cut
• readable
• undisguised
• perceptible
• discernible
• self-explanatory
• self-evident
• cognizable
• legible
• fathomable
• discernable
• black-and-white
• clean
• cognoscible
• trenchant
• decipherable
• well-defined
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dark
• ambiguous
• obscure
• mysterious
• indistinct
• unclear
• enigmatic
• cryptic
• equivocal
• clouded
• incomprehensible
• unintelligible
• indecipherable
• unknowable
• unfathomable
• imperceptible
• gray
• grey
• enigmatical
• subtle
• obfuscated
• vague
• impalpable
• unclarified
• cloudy
• nonobvious
• unapparent
• murky
• slippery
• hazy
• nebulous
• sketchy
• insensible
• indeterminate
• inappreciable
• indefinite
• imprecise
• gauzy
• misty
• noncommittal
• indiscernible
• unreadable
• illegible
• undecipherable

3

as in sheer

very thin and easy to see through

flowy summer dresses made partly of chiffon or other transparent fabrics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheer
• translucent
• diaphanous
• crystal
• see-through
• gauzy
• gossamer
• filmy
• clear
• fragile
• gauzelike
• cobwebby
• liquid
• delicate
• crystalline
• gossamery
• limpid
• pellucid
• lucid
• lucent
• flimsy
• colorless
• peekaboo
• uncolored
• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• dainty
• frail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• cloudy
• smoky
• hazy
• murky
• nebulous
• misty
• foggy
• dull
• drab
• smokey
• lackluster
• lusterless

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective transparent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of transparent are clear, limpid, and translucent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

When is it sensible to use clear instead of transparent?

The words clear and transparent can be used in similar contexts, but clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

When can limpid be used instead of transparent?

The words limpid and transparent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

Where would translucent be a reasonable alternative to transparent?

The meanings of translucent and transparent largely overlap; however, translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of transparent

Some are transparent; others twinkle with bioluminescent light. —Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025

Gilmore, Vasquez and Klein all promised to be honest and transparent in their dealings with the community, employees and news media. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025

Tunnels vary in diameter, but are generally made of transparent plastic or plexiglass, which naturally can attract an audience. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 May 2025

To paraphrase Bochner, the thesaurus is not transparent. —Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025