opaque
Say it: oh-PAYK /oʊˈpeɪk/ · adjective
What “opaque” means
Hard to understand because you can't see what's going on.
More precisely: Hard to understand or see through; not transparent.
Example: “The company's opaque pricing makes it impossible to compare plans.”
When to use it
In fairly formal criticism, when rules, decisions or explanations hide the details you need to understand them.
It can also mean
An opaque material blocks your view, so you cannot see through it.
Similar words
unclear, obscure, murky
Where it comes from
From Latin opacus, "shaded, dark."
Quick check
A club won't explain how it chooses members, and nobody can work out the rules. Its selection process is…
selective or opaque?
Show the answer
opaque
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