How Do You Spell OPAQUENESS?

Pronunciation: [ə͡ʊpˈe͡ɪknəs] (IPA)

The word "opaqueness" is a noun that refers to the quality of being opaque or not allowing light to pass through. It is pronounced ['oʊpəkwənəs] and spelled with a "q" after the "p" to indicate the sound of /kw/. The suffix "-ness" is added to the root word "opaque" to indicate the quality or state of being opaque. The IPA phonetic transcription clarifies the pronunciation of this word, which may be confusing for non-native English speakers.

OPAQUENESS Meaning and Definition

  1. Opaqueness is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being opaque. Something that is opaque does not allow light to pass through, meaning it cannot be seen through or is difficult to see through. Opaqueness, therefore, describes the condition of being dense, cloudy, or lacking translucency.

    When applied metaphorically, opaqueness can also describe the state of being unclear, incomprehensible, or difficult to understand. It implies a lack of transparency or openness, suggesting that something is obscure, vague, or concealed. This can be used to describe concepts, language, or situations that are intentionally or unintentionally difficult to grasp.

    The term opaqueness can be used to describe various aspects of life, from physical objects like glass or liquids to more abstract ideas such as communication, policies, or relationships. Opaqueness in communication may arise from complex jargon, confusing explanations, or deliberately withholding information. In the realm of governance or organizations, opaqueness refers to a lack of transparency and accountability. This term is also used in the field of finance to describe the lack of clarity or understanding in financial transactions, operations, or statements.

    In summary, opaqueness refers to the quality of being opaque, not allowing light to pass through and thereby obstructing visibility or comprehension. It is a term used to describe both literal and metaphorical scenarios where transparency, clarity, or understanding are hindered or absent.

  2. The want of transparency.

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

Common Misspellings for OPAQUENESS

Etymology of OPAQUENESS

The word "opaqueness" is derived from the adjective "opaque" combined with the suffix "-ness".

The adjective "opaque" originated in the late 14th century from the Latin word "opaquus", meaning "dark" or "obscure". In turn, "opaquus" is thought to have evolved from the Latin word "ob", meaning "against", and "paucus", meaning "few" or "little".

The suffix "-ness" is derived from Old English, and it is used to form a noun indicating a state or condition. When added to "opaque", it forms "opaqueness", which refers to the quality or state of being opaque, i.e., not allowing light to pass through, dark, or obscure.

Plural form of OPAQUENESS is OPAQUENESSES

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: