Clear vs. Opaque — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
Difference Between Clear and Opaque
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Clear" and "Opaque" are terms that can be used to describe both physical transparency and conceptual clarity. When something is "Clear," it means it's transparent and easy to see through, or it can mean that an idea or message is easily understood.
On the contrary, "Opaque" is a term used to describe objects that are impenetrable to light, making them non-transparent. Conceptually, when a statement or idea is described as "Opaque," it implies that it is difficult to understand or is obscured in its meaning.
In various contexts, "Clear" denotes purity or absence of impurities. For example, clear water is free from contaminants. "Opaque," in a similar context, might refer to a substance where you cannot see through due to its density or the presence of impurities.
In communication and literature, clarity is crucial. A "Clear" message is direct and unambiguous. Conversely, an "Opaque" message is muddled and can lead to confusion or misinterpretation.
In summary, while "Clear" pertains to transparency and straightforwardness, "Opaque" relates to obscurity and non-transparency.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Transparent or easy to understand
Not transparent or difficult to understand
Relates to Light
Allows light to pass through
Blocks light from passing through
In Communication
Direct and unambiguous
Muddled or ambiguous
Presence of Impurities
Often denotes absence of impurities
Might imply presence of impurities
In Art and Design
Offers visibility of underlying layers
Conceals underlying layers
Compare with Definitions
Clear
Easily understood without ambiguity.
Her instructions were clear and easy to follow.
Opaque
Not transparent; not allowing light to pass through.
The windows were opaque, ensuring privacy inside.
Clear
Free from contaminants or impurities.
This solution is clear and ready for the experiment.
Opaque
Hard to explain or understand.
The theory was quite opaque to beginners.
Clear
Unclouded or unobstructed.
The sky was clear and full of stars.
Opaque
Difficult to understand or opaque in meaning.
Her poem was opaque, filled with complex metaphors.
Clear
Easy to perceive, understand, or interpret
Am I making myself clear?
Her handwriting was clear
Clear and precise directions
Opaque
Impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent.
Clear
(of a substance) transparent; unclouded
The clear glass of the French windows
A stream of clear water
Opaque
Not reflecting light; having no luster
An opaque finish.
Clear
Free of any obstructions or unwanted objects
With a clear road ahead he shifted into high gear
I had a clear view in both directions
Opaque
Impenetrable by a form of radiant energy other than visible light
A chemical solution opaque to x-rays.
Clear
Not touching; away from
The lorry was wedged in the ditch, one wheel clear of the ground
Opaque
So obscure as to be unintelligible
"opaque, elusive, minimal meanings" (John Simon).
Clear
Complete; full
You must give seven clear days' notice of the meeting
Opaque
Mentally obtuse; dense.
Clear
Denoting a palatalized form of the sound of the letter l (as in leaf in most accents of English).
Opaque
Something that is opaque, especially an opaque pigment used to darken parts of a photographic print or negative.
Clear
So as to be out of the way of or away from
He leapt clear of the car
Stand clear, I'll start the plane up
Opaque
Neither reflecting nor emitting light.
Clear
Completely
He had time to get clear away
Opaque
Allowing little light to pass through, not translucent or transparent.
Clear
Remove an obstruction or unwanted item or items from
Carolyn cleared the table and washed up
The drive had been cleared of snow
Opaque
(figuratively) Unclear, unintelligible, hard to get or explain the meaning of.
Clear
Remove (an obstruction or unwanted item) from somewhere
Karen cleared the dirty plates
Park staff cleared away dead trees
Opaque
(figuratively) Obtuse, stupid.
Clear
Get past or over (something) safely or without touching it
The plane rose high enough to clear the trees
She cleared 1.50 metres in the high jump
Opaque
(computing) Describes a type for which higher-level callers have no knowledge of data values or their representations; all operations are carried out by the type's defined abstract operators.
Clear
Officially show or declare (someone) to be innocent
His sport's ruling body had cleared him of cheating
Opaque
An area of darkness; a place or region with no light.
Clear
Give official approval or authorization to
I cleared him to return to his squadron
Opaque
Something which is opaque rather than translucent.
Clear
Earn or gain (an amount of money) as a net profit
I would hope to clear £50,000 profit from each match
Opaque
(transitive) To make, render (more) opaque.
Clear
Free from clouds, mist, or haze
A clear day.
Opaque
Impervious to the rays of light; not transparent; as, an opaque substance.
Clear
Not obscured or darkened; bright
Clear daylight.
A clear yellow.
Opaque
Obscure; not clear; unintelligible.
Clear
Easily seen through; transparent
Clear water.
Opaque
That which is opaque; opacity.
Clear
Free from flaw, blemish, or impurity
A clear, perfect diamond.
A clear record with the police.
Opaque
Not clear; not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy;
Opaque windows of the jail
Opaque to X-rays
Clear
Free from impediment, obstruction, or hindrance; open
A clear view.
A clear path to victory.
Opaque
Not clearly understood or expressed
Clear
Plain or evident to the mind; unmistakable
A clear case of cheating.
Opaque
Not shining or bright; dull in luster.
The gem had an opaque appearance.
Clear
Easily perceptible to the eye or ear; distinct
The clear call of a songbird.
Opaque
Not reflecting light; not glossy.
The painter used an opaque finish on the artwork.
Clear
Discerning or perceiving easily; keen
A clear mind.
Clear
Free from doubt or confusion; certain
His meaning is clear.
Clear
Free from qualification or limitation; absolute
A clear winner.
Clear
Free from guilt; untroubled
A clear conscience.
Clear
Having been freed from contact, proximity, or connection
At last we were clear of the danger. The ship was clear of the reef.
Clear
Free from charges or deductions; net
A clear profit.
Clear
Containing nothing
The ship's hold was clear.
Clear
Distinctly; clearly
Spoke loud and clear.
Clear
Out of the way; completely away
Stood clear of the doors.
Clear
(Informal) All the way; completely
Slept clear through the night.
Read the book clear to the end.
Clear
To make light, clear, or bright
The wind cleared the sky of clouds.
Clear
To rid of impurities, blemishes, muddiness, or foreign matter
The new filter cleared the water.
Clear
To free from confusion, doubt, or ambiguity; make plain or intelligible
Cleared up the question of responsibility.
Clear
To rid of objects or obstructions
Clear the table.
Clear the road of debris.
Clear
To make (a way or clearing) by removing obstructions
Clear a path through the jungle.
Clear
To remove (objects or obstructions)
Clear the dishes.
Clear snow from the road.
Clear
To remove the occupants of
Clear the theater.
Clear
To remove (people)
Clear the children from the room.
Clear
To move or shoot (a ball or puck) away from the goal or out of the defensive zone.
Clear
To clear a ball or puck out of (the defensive zone), as in lacrosse or hockey.
Clear
To rid (a memory location or buffer, for example) of instructions or data.
Clear
To remove (instructions or data) from memory.
Clear
To free from a legal charge or imputation of guilt; acquit
Cleared the suspect of the murder charge.
Clear
To pass by, under, or over without contact
The boat cleared the dock.
Clear
To settle (a debt).
Clear
To gain (a given amount) as net profit or earnings.
Clear
To pass (a bill of exchange, such as a check) through a clearing-house.
Clear
To secure the approval of
The bill cleared the Senate.
Clear
To authorize or approve
Cleared the material for publication.
Clear
To free (a ship or cargo) from legal detention at a harbor by fulfilling customs and harbor requirements.
Clear
To give clearance or authorization to
Cleared the plane to land.
Clear
To free (the throat) of phlegm by making a rasping sound.
Clear
To become clear
The sky cleared.
Clear
To go away; disappear
The fog cleared.
Clear
To exchange checks and bills or settle accounts through a clearing-house.
Clear
To pass through the banking system and be debited and credited to the relevant accounts
The check cleared.
Clear
To comply with customs and harbor requirements in discharging a cargo or in leaving or entering a port.
Clear
A clear or open space.
Clear
Transparent in colour.
As clear as crystal
Clear
Bright; luminous; not dark or obscured.
The windshield was clear and clean.
Congress passed the President’s Clear Skies legislation.
Clear
Free of obstacles.
The driver had mistakenly thought the intersection was clear.
The coast is clear.
Clear
Without clouds.
Clear weather; a clear day
Clear
(meteorology) Of the sky, such that less than one eighth of its area is obscured by clouds.
Clear
Free of ambiguity or doubt.
He gave clear instructions not to bother him at work.
Do I make myself clear? Crystal clear.
I'm still not quite clear on what some of these words mean.
Clear
Distinct, sharp, well-marked.
Clear
(figuratively) Free of guilt, or suspicion.
A clear conscience
Clear
(of a soup) Without a thickening ingredient.
Clear
Possessing little or no perceptible stimulus.
Clear of texture; clear of odor
Clear
(Scientology) Free from the influence of engrams; see Clear (Scientology).
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating.
A clear intellect; a clear head
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible.
Clear
Unmixed; entirely pure.
Clear sand
Clear
Without defects or blemishes, such as freckles or knots.
A clear complexion; clear lumber
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net.
A clear profit
Clear
Showing a green aspect, allowing a train to proceed past it.
Clear
All the way; entirely.
I threw it clear across the river to the other side.
Clear
Not near something or touching it.
Stand clear of the rails, a train is coming.
Clear
Free (or separate) from others.
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Clear
(transitive) To remove obstructions, impediments or other unwanted items from.
Police took two hours to clear the road.
If you clear the table, I'll wash up.
Clear
(transitive) To remove (items or material) so as to leave something unobstructed or open.
Please clear all this stuff off the table.
The loggers came and cleared the trees.
Clear
(intransitive) To leave abruptly; to clear off or clear out.
Clear
(intransitive) To become free from obstruction or obscurement; to become transparent.
When the road cleared we continued our journey.
After a heavy rain, the sky cleared nicely for the evening.
Shake the test tube well, and the liquid should slowly clear.
Clear
(transitive) To eliminate ambiguity or doubt from (a matter); to clarify or resolve; to clear up.
We need to clear this issue once and for all.
Clear
(transitive) To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
The court cleared the man of murder.
Clear
(transitive) To pass without interference; to miss.
The door just barely clears the table as it closes.
The leaping horse easily cleared the hurdles.
Clear
To exceed a stated mark.
She was the first female high jumper to clear two metres.
Clear
To finish or complete (a stage, challenge, or game).
I cleared the first level in 36 seconds.
Clear
(intransitive) Of a check or financial transaction, to go through as payment; to be processed so that the money is transferred.
The check might not clear for a couple of days.
Clear
To earn a profit of; to net.
He's been clearing seven thousand a week.
Clear
(transitive) To approve or authorise for a particular purpose or action; to give clearance to.
Air traffic control cleared the plane to land.
The marketing department has cleared the press release for publication.
Clear
(transitive) To obtain approval or authorisation in respect of.
I've cleared the press release with the marketing department, so go ahead and publish it.
Clear
(intransitive) To obtain a clearance.
The steamer cleared for Liverpool today.
Clear
(transitive) To obtain permission to use (a sample of copyrighted audio) in another track.
Clear
To disengage oneself from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
Clear
To hit, kick, head, punch etc. (a ball, puck) away in order to defend one's goal.
The goalkeeper rushed forward to clear the ball.
A low cross came in, and Smith cleared.
Clear
To reset or unset; to return to an empty state or to zero.
To clear an array;
To clear a single bit (binary digit) in a value
Clear
To style (an element within a document) so that it is not permitted to float at a given position.
Clear
(carpentry) Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls.
A room ten feet square in the clear
Clear
(video games) The completion of a stage or challenge, or of the whole game.
It took me weeks to achieve a one-credit clear (1CC).
Clear
(Scientology) A person who is free from the influence of engrams.
Clear
Free from opaqueness; transparent; bright; light; luminous; unclouded.
The stream is so transparent, pure, and clear.
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun.
Clear
Free from ambiguity or indistinctness; lucid; perspicuous; plain; evident; manifest; indubitable.
One truth is clear; whatever is, is right.
Clear
Able to perceive clearly; keen; acute; penetrating; discriminating; as, a clear intellect; a clear head.
Mother of science! now I feel thy powerWithin me clear, not only to discernThings in their causes, but to trace the waysOf highest agents.
Clear
Not clouded with passion; serene; cheerful.
With a countenance as clearAs friendship wears at feasts.
Clear
Easily or distinctly heard; audible; canorous.
Hark! the numbers soft and clearGently steal upon the ear.
Clear
Without mixture; entirely pure; as, clear sand.
Clear
Without defect or blemish, such as freckles or knots; as, a clear complexion; clear lumber.
Clear
Free from guilt or stain; unblemished.
Statesman, yet friend to truth! in soul sincere,In action faithful, and in honor clear.
Clear
Without diminution; in full; net; as, clear profit.
I often wished that I had clear,For life, six hundred pounds a-year.
Clear
Free from impediment or obstruction; unobstructed; as, a clear view; to keep clear of debt.
My companion . . . left the way clear for him.
Clear
Free from embarrassment; detention, etc.
The cruel corporal whispered in my ear,Five pounds, if rightly tipped, would set me clear.
Clear
Full extent; distance between extreme limits; especially; the distance between the nearest surfaces of two bodies, or the space between walls; as, a room ten feet square in the clear.
Clear
In a clear manner; plainly.
Now clear I understandWhat oft . . . thoughts have searched in vain.
Clear
Without limitation; wholly; quite; entirely; as, to cut a piece clear off.
Clear
To render bright, transparent, or undimmed; to free from clouds.
He sweeps the skies and clears the cloudy north.
Clear
To free from impurities; to clarify; to cleanse.
Clear
To free from obscurity or ambiguity; to relive of perplexity; to make perspicuous.
Many knotty points there areWhich all discuss, but few can clear.
Clear
To render more quick or acute, as the understanding; to make perspicacious.
Our common prints would clear up their understandings.
Clear
To free from impediment or incumbrance, from defilement, or from anything injurious, useless, or offensive; as, to clear land of trees or brushwood, or from stones; to clear the sight or the voice; to clear one's self from debt; - often used with of, off, away, or out.
Clear your mind of cant.
A statue lies hid in a block of marble; and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter.
Clear
To free from the imputation of guilt; to justify, vindicate, or acquit; - often used with from before the thing imputed.
I . . . am sure he will clear me from partiality.
How! wouldst thou clear rebellion?
Clear
To leap or pass by, or over, without touching or failure; as, to clear a hedge; to clear a reef.
Clear
To gain without deduction; to net.
The profit which she cleared on the cargo.
Clear
To become free from clouds or fog; to become fair; - of the weather; - often followed by up, off, or away.
So foul a sky clears not without a storm.
Advise him to stay till the weather clears up.
Clear
To become free from turbidity; - of solutions or suspensions of liquids; as, the salt has not completely dissolved until the suspension clears up; when refrigerated, the juice may become cloudy, but when warmed to room temperature, it clears up again.
Clear
To disengage one's self from incumbrances, distress, or entanglements; to become free.
He that clears at once will relapse; for finding himself out of straits, he will revert to his customs; but he that cleareth by degrees induceth a habit of frugality.
Clear
To make exchanges of checks and bills, and settle balances, as is done in a clearing house.
Clear
To obtain a clearance; as, the steamer cleared for Liverpool to-day.
Clear
The state of being free of suspicion;
Investigation showed that he was in the clear
Clear
A clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water;
Finally broke out of the forest into the open
Clear
Rid of obstructions;
Clear your desk
Clear
Make a way or path by removing objects;
Clear a path through the dense forest
Clear
Become clear;
The sky cleared after the storm
Clear
Grant authorization or clearance for;
Clear the manuscript for publication
The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography
Clear
Remove;
Clear the leaves from the lawn
Clear snow from the road
Clear
Go unchallenged; be approved;
The bill cleared the House
Clear
Be debited and credited to the proper bank accounts;
The check will clear within 2 business days
Clear
Go away or disappear;
The fog cleared in the afternoon
Clear
Pass by, over, or under without making contact;
The balloon cleared the tree tops
Clear
Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear;
Could you clarify these remarks?
Clear up the question of who is at fault
Clear
Free from payment of customs duties, as of a shipment;
Clear the ship and let it dock
Clear
Clear from impurities, blemishes, pollution, etc.;
Clear the water before it can be drunk
Clear
Yield as a net profit;
This sale netted me $1 million
Clear
Make as a net profit;
The company cleared $1 million
Clear
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Clear
Sell;
We cleared a lot of the old model cars
Clear
Pass an inspection or receive authorization;
Clear customs
Clear
Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges;
The suspect was cleared of the murder charges
Clear
Settle, as of a debt;
Clear a debt
Solve an old debt
Clear
Make clear, bright, light, or translucent;
The water had to be cleared through filtering
Clear
Rid of instructions or data;
Clear a memory buffer
Clear
Remove (people) from a building;
Clear the patrons from the theater after the bomb threat
Clear
Remove the occupants of;
Clear the building
Clear
Free (the throat) by making a rasping sound;
Clear the throat
Clear
Clear to the mind;
A clear and present danger
A clear explanation
A clear case of murder
A clear indication that she was angry
Gave us a clear idea of human nature
Clear
Free from confusion or doubt;
A complex problem requiring a clear head
Not clear about what is expected of us
Clear
Affording free passage or view;
A clear view
A clear path to victory
Clear
Free from cloudiness; allowing light to pass through;
Clear water
Clear plastic bags
Clear glass
The air is clear and clean
Clear
Free from contact or proximity or connection;
We were clear of the danger
The ship was clear of the reef
Clear
Characterized by freedom from troubling thoughts (especially guilt);
A clear conscience
Regarded her questioner with clear untroubled eyes
Clear
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims;
Efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings
Clear laughter like a waterfall
Clear reds and blues
A light lilting voice like a silver bell
Clear
(especially of a title) free from any encumberance or limitation that presents a question of fact or law;
I have clear title to this property
Clear
Clear and distinct to the senses; easily perceptible;
As clear as a whistle
Clear footprints in the snow
The letter brought back a clear image of his grandfather
A spire clean-cut against the sky
A clear-cut pattern
Clear
Accurately stated or described;
A set of well-defined values
Clear
Free from clouds or mist or haze;
On a clear day
Clear
Free of restrictions or qualifications;
A clean bill of health
A clear winner
Clear
Free from flaw or blemish or impurity;
A clear perfect diamond
Clear
Clear of charges or deductions;
A clear profit
Clear
Easily deciphered
Clear
Freed from any question of guilt;
Is absolved from all blame
Was now clear of the charge of cowardice
His official honor is vindicated
Clear
Characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving;
Clear mind
A percipient author
Clear
Of complexion; without such blemishes as e.g. acne;
The clear complexion of a healthy young woman
Clear
Completely;
Read the book clear to the end
Slept clear through the night
There were open fields clear to the horizon
Clear
In an easily perceptible manner;
Could be seen clearly under the microscope
She cried loud and clear
Clear
Transparent and easy to see through.
The lake's water was so clear that you could see the fish swimming below.
Clear
Obvious or evident.
It was clear that he was not telling the truth.
Common Curiosities
Can "Opaque" materials allow light to pass?
No, "Opaque" materials block light from passing through.
Are "Clear" and "Opaque" opposites in terms of transparency?
Yes, "Clear" means transparent, while "Opaque" means non-transparent.
How does "Clear" relate to purity?
"Clear" often denotes the absence of impurities or contaminants.
Can "Clear" also mean obvious?
Yes, it can denote something that is evident or apparent.
How is "Clear" used in a weather context?
It can refer to unclouded or unobstructed skies.
Can "Clear" relate to communication?
Yes, a "Clear" message is straightforward and easily understood.
Can a concept be described as "Opaque"?
Yes, if it's difficult to understand or is obscure in meaning.
Can liquids be described using "Clear" and "Opaque"?
Yes, based on their transparency or presence of impurities.
Can "Clear" denote clarity of mind?
Yes, indicating understanding or lack of confusion.
Does "Opaque" always relate to visibility?
No, it can also refer to concepts or ideas that are hard to understand.
How does "Clear" relate to sound?
Clear sound is distinct and free from interference.
Is "Opaque" used in art?
Yes, it can describe materials or finishes that conceal underlying layers.
Is "Opaque" ever used positively?
Yes, in contexts where concealment or privacy is desired.
Does "Opaque" always mean dull or not bright?
No, but it can describe things that aren't shiny or lustrous.
Is "Opaque" used to describe certain finishes?
Yes, especially in art or design, where it conceals underlying layers.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Shuttlecock vs. Badminton
Next Comparison
Ax vs. AxeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
