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
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
Still, burgeoning business ties with Russia come at a cost, even if that is difficult to quantify because of its opacity.
—
Pei-Lin Wu, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
In the letter, the agency asked the state to add more details about monitoring and recordkeeping requirements for periodic opacity monitoring.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 13 Aug. 2024
Any target with the slightest sophistication is likely to shroud his activities with corporate opacity and operate through intermediaries and shell companies, thus rendering individual sanctions less effective.
—Justyna Gudzowska, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Material Benefits Photograph: Artur Debat/Getty Images The material affects the thickness and the opacity of the sleep mask against light.
—Nicole Kinning, WIRED, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for opacity 
Pei-Lin Wu, Washington Post, 26 July 2024
In the letter, the agency asked the state to add more details about monitoring and recordkeeping requirements for periodic opacity monitoring.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 13 Aug. 2024
Any target with the slightest sophistication is likely to shroud his activities with corporate opacity and operate through intermediaries and shell companies, thus rendering individual sanctions less effective.
—Justyna Gudzowska, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Material Benefits Photograph: Artur Debat/Getty Images The material affects the thickness and the opacity of the sleep mask against light.
—Nicole Kinning, WIRED, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for opacity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opacity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near opacity
Cite this Entry
“Opacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opacity. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share