What is opaque? Pronunciation and usage in English

opaque means . Learn how to pronounce and use opaque through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of opaque

opaqueadjective

/ə(ʊ)ˈpeɪk/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "opaque." It can be tricky for some!

Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

  1. op: This part is fairly straightforward. Say "op" like the "op" in "stop."

  2. -paque: This is where it gets a little more nuanced. It’s a French loanword. Here’s how to handle it:

    • "pa": Say "pa" like the "pa" in "path." It’s a brief, slightly emphasized sound.
    • "-que": This is the tricky part. It’s pronounced like "k" followed immediately by a very short, almost silent "uh." Think of it as a very short, subtle “uh” sound blended seamlessly with the ‘k’. It’s not a full “oo” sound like in “blue.” It’s almost like a quick, clipped “kuh.”

Putting it all together:

The full pronunciation is: ō-pā-k (rhymes with "stop-pack")

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:

  • Practice slowly: Start by saying "op" and then slowly adding the "-paque" part, focusing on that subtle “kuh” sound.

  • Don’t overemphasize it: The "-paque" part should be relatively quick and not drawn out.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some more example words that have similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word opaque in English

Let's break down how to use the word "opaque" in English. It's a really useful word describing how light interacts with something.

1. Core Meaning:

  • Opaque means not allowing light to pass through. It’s essentially the opposite of transparent or translucent. If you can’t see through something, it's opaque.

2. How to Use It – Examples:

Here’s a breakdown of how you can use “opaque” in different contexts:

  • Describing Materials (Most Common):

    • “The walls were painted a dark, opaque blue.” (You can’t see through the blue paint.)
    • “He wore an opaque raincoat.” (The raincoat blocks the light.)
    • “This glass is opaque; I can't see what's on the other side.”
    • “The curtain was opaque, shutting out all the sunlight.”

  • Describing Appearance/Texture:

    • "The mud was thick and opaque, making it difficult to walk." (It’s dense and blocks light.)
    • “The artist created an opaque effect with layers of paint.” (The layers obscure the underlying colors.)

  • Figurative Usage (Less Common, but powerful): This is where it gets a bit more interesting. "Opaque" can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or perceive.

    • “His motives were opaque; I couldn't understand why he did that.” (Meaning his reasons were unclear and hidden.)
    • “She remained opaque about her past.” (Meaning she didn’t reveal anything about her history.)
    • “The legal jargon made the contract completely opaque.” (Meaning the language was so complex, it was impossible to understand.)

3. Synonyms:

  • Dark: (Often used interchangeably, especially with colors)
  • Solid: (Referring to a dense material)
  • Covered: (Simple and direct)
  • Obscured: (Similar to opaque, a bit more evocative)
  • Impervious: (More formal; meaning unable to be penetrated)

4. Key Differences: Opaque vs. Transparent/Translucent

  • Transparent: Allows light to pass through completely, so you can see clearly through it. (e.g., glass, clear water)
  • Translucent: Allows some light to pass through, but the image is blurry or diffused. (e.g., frosted glass, wax paper)
  • Opaque: Blocks light completely – you cannot see through it.

5. Practice Sentences:

  • “The antique vase was crafted from opaque porcelain.”
  • “The dense forest was opaque to the hikers.”
  • “He presented an opaque explanation of his decision.”
  • “She used opaque watercolors to create a moody painting.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "opaque" in? (e.g., describing an object, writing a story, explaining a concept?)

Synonyms for the word opaque

Practice with vocabulary opaque

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The security glass on the vault was completely _______, preventing any view of its contents.
  2. The company's financial statements were intentionally _______, making it difficult for investors to understand the true state of their assets.
  3. The professor's explanation of quantum physics was remarkably _______, allowing even beginners to grasp the core concepts.
  4. Due to the constantly changing market conditions, the project's future remains highly _______, with several possible outcomes.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following properties are commonly associated with an "opaque" material? (Select all that apply) A. Allows light to pass through easily. B. Blocks the transmission of light. C. Can be seen through clearly. D. Does not allow visual penetration.

  2. If a government's decision-making process is described as "opaque," what does it imply? (Select all that apply) A. It is clear and easy to understand. B. It lacks transparency and is difficult to scrutinize. C. Its reasoning is hidden or obscure. D. It is open for public review.

  3. The artist chose to use _______ paints to ensure no underlying layers were visible through the final coat. A. translucent B. transparent C. luminous D. opaque

  4. Which of the following words describes a statement that can be interpreted in more than one way, causing confusion? A. Explicit B. Unambiguous C. Equivocal D. Definitive

  5. Which words describe something that is able to be seen through, even if not perfectly clear? (Select all that apply) A. Translucent B. Turbid C. Permeable D. Diaphanous

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The company's internal accounting practices were very difficult for external auditors to scrutinize. Rewrite using "opaque":

  2. Original: The heavy fog made it impossible to see the road clearly, slowing down traffic considerably. Rewrite using a related word form of "opaque":

  3. Original: Her explanation for the sudden budget cuts was so unclear that no one in the meeting fully understood the rationale. Rewrite without using "opaque" (use a suitable replacement):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. opaque
  2. opaque
  3. lucid
  4. uncertain

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B. Blocks the transmission of light. D. Does not allow visual penetration.
  2. B. It lacks transparency and is difficult to scrutinize. C. Its reasoning is hidden or obscure.
  3. D. opaque
  4. C. Equivocal
  5. A. Translucent D. Diaphanous

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company's internal accounting practices were opaque, making it very difficult for external auditors to scrutinize them.
  2. The opacity of the heavy fog made it impossible to see the road clearly, slowing down traffic considerably.
  3. Her explanation for the sudden budget cuts was so unfathomable that no one in the meeting fully understood the rationale.

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