Translucent
adjective /trænzˈluː.sənt/ — Allowing light to pass through but not fully transparent
Definition
Allowing light to pass through but diffusing it so that objects on the other side are not clearly visible — between opaque and transparent, the quality of frosted glass, thin paper, or milky stone.
Beyond the definition
The in-between of seeing. Translucent things don't hide the light entirely, but they won't let you see through clearly — they soften and diffuse, making the world on the other side a suggestion.
Origin & history
From Latin 'translucens' — present participle of 'translucere' (to shine through) — 'trans' (through) + 'lucere' (to shine). Light that shines through but is scattered by the doing.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The onion skin was translucent — she could see her hand behind it, blurred but present.
Translucent glass in a bathroom window: privacy and light, simultaneously, neither sacrificed for the other.
Certain jellyfish are translucent — the organs visible, the body a membrane between inside and outside.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Translucent” when the meaning fits your context: Allowing light to pass through but diffusing it so that objects on the other side are not clearly visible — between opaque and transparent, the quality of frosted glass, thin paper, or milky stone.
Synonyms
semi-transparent, diaphanous, pellucid, see-through, gossamer
Antonyms
opaque, solid, impenetrable
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Examining Glass Prism
An individual uses a magnifying lens to look at a glass prism, which allows light through but softens and diffuses it.
The glass of the prism allows light to pass but obscures the clear vision of what is behind it, perfectly capturing the quality of being translucent.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Translucent" mean?
Translucent is adjective meaning: Allowing light to pass through but not fully transparent. Allowing light to pass through but diffusing it so that objects on the other side are not clearly visible — between opaque and transparent, the quality of frosted glass, thin paper, or milky stone.
Where does the word "Translucent" come from?
From Latin 'translucens' — present participle of 'translucere' (to shine through) — 'trans' (through) + 'lucere' (to shine). Light that shines through but is scattered by the doing.