How Do You Spell OPACITY?

Pronunciation: [ɒpˈasɪti] (IPA)

The word "opacity" is spelled with four syllables: /oʊˈpæsəti/. The first syllable is represented by the long "o" sound as in "boat". The second syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat". The final two syllables contain the "s" sound followed by a "t" sound and the "i" sound, respectively. The word means "lack of transparency or translucency" and is commonly used in describing objects that are difficult to see through, such as fog or dense materials.

OPACITY Meaning and Definition

1. Opacity refers to the quality or state of being opaque, which means that something is not transparent or does not allow light to pass through. It is a characteristic of an object or substance that hinders or obstructs the transmission of light, creating a lack of clarity or visibility. Opacity can vary in degrees, with some objects being partially opaque while others are completely opaque.

   In a literal sense, opacity refers to the inability to see through an object or material, such as a solid wall, dense fog, or a curtain. In these cases, the lack of transparency prevents one from clearly perceiving objects or events on the other side. Opacity can also be used metaphorically to describe situations or concepts that are unclear, vague, or difficult to understand. For example, a government's policies may be criticized for their opacity if they lack transparency and the general public struggles to comprehend their intentions or implications.

   In the field of computer graphics or image processing, opacity refers to the attribute of an object that determines its degree of transparency, or how visible or invisible it appears when superimposed on other objects or backgrounds. This concept is commonly utilized in techniques such as alpha blending or alpha compositing, which enable the combination of multiple images or colors with varying transparency levels.

2. A lack of transparency; an opaque or non-transparent area.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Want of transparency; darkness; gloom; obscurity.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OPACITY

• odascity
• cpacity
• opacitiy
• odasity
• oppcity
• opasite
• coppacity
• oppacity
• copacity
• opimity
• acity
• adacity
• opasit
• opasits
• ordacity
• copasity
• oparty
• obecity
• pacity
• epacity
• odacity
• opacafy
• Odeacity
• oppacat
• oppasity
• oppacitty
• omanity
• lokacity
• opactys

Etymology of OPACITY

The word "opacity" originates from the Latin term "opacitas", which is derived from the adjective "opacus" meaning "dark" or "obscure". The English term "opacity" was first used in the 17th century and refers to the quality or state of being opaque, which is the property of not allowing light to pass through and therefore not being transparent or translucent.

Plural form of OPACITY is OPACITIES