translucent
Americanadjective
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Allowing radiation (most commonly light) to pass through, but causing diffusion. Frosted glass, for example, is translucent to visible light.
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Compare transparent
Related Words
See transparent.
Other Word Forms
- subtranslucence noun
- subtranslucency noun
- subtranslucent adjective
- translucence noun
- translucency noun
- translucently adverb
Etymology
Origin of translucent
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin trānslūcent- (stem of trānslūcēns ), present participle of trānslūcēre “to shine through”; trans-, lucent
Explanation
A translucent material lets light pass through, but objects on the other side can't be seen clearly. Think Shrinky Dinks or stained glass. In contrast, a transparent material allows you to clearly see the objects on the other side. Frosted glass is translucent, and regular glass is transparent. But opaque glass doesn't let any light through at all, and so you can't see through it. The adjective translucent is from the Latin translucens, from translucere "to shine through."
Vocabulary lists containing translucent
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 1
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Let There Be Light: Lum and Luc
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Under strong light, however, they become translucent with a grayish green hue.
From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026
Let them soften slowly, blooming until fragrant and slightly sweet, their edges translucent and relaxed.
From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026
“This very rare geologic feature of translucent petroleum has been filtered by nature,” the sign read.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026
Her husband usually gets up early, meaning she’s often awakened by light escaping out of a door that is translucent or transparent.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
After that were the translucent columns, so lustrous Pinmei could see their gleam from the distance.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
