Translucencea property of letting light through but not showing details clearly describes the quality of letting light pass through while scatteringspreading in different directions instead of traveling straight it, so objects can be seen only partly or not clearly. It is often used in descriptions of materialssubstances or things that something is made from like glass, skin, paper, or fabric.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌtrænˈsluːsəns/
Easy pronunciation: tran-SLOO-sենս (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable.
Noun meaning the quality of allowing light to pass through diffusely.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Translucence Meaning
the quality of letting light through without letting you see things clearly
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the quality of allowing light to pass through diffusely
Example: The lampshade had a soft translucence that warmed the whole room.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- translucency — The closest direct synonym; the standard noun form used for the same quality.
- semitransparency — A technical synonym, but less common in everyday English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Translucence Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- translucency
- semitransparency
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse translucence with transparency. Transparent things are clear enough to see through; translucent things let light through but blur details.
- Do not use translucence for opacity, which means not letting light pass through.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does translucence mean?
Translucence is the quality of letting light pass through a material while scattering it, so the material is not completely clear.
What are the synonyms of translucence?
The main synonyms are translucency and semitransparency.
Is translucence the same as transparency?
No. Transparency means you can see through something clearly, while translucence means light passes through but objects behind it are not seen clearly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
