translucent

Everyday

Letting some light pass through, but you cannot see clearly through it: "Frosted glass is translucent." tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on light, pupils sort materials into transparent (clear, see through), translucent (some light, blurry) and opaque (no light). Examples of translucent things: tracing paper, frosted glass, a thin leaf, some plastic. Phrases: translucent material, translucent plastic.

Examples

• Tracing paper is translucent. tree →
• The bathroom window is translucent, so no one can see in. tree →
• Light comes through the translucent curtain. tree →
• Is wax paper transparent, translucent or opaque? tree →
• The jellyfish has a translucent body. tree →
• We tested which materials are translucent with a torch. tree →

Note

Not the same as "transparent": transparent means you can see clearly through it; translucent lets light through but things look blurry. "Opaque" lets no light through. A science test: shine a torch at it and look.