a bit opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit opaque" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not clear or is difficult to understand, often in reference to language, writing, or concepts. Example: "The author's explanation of the theory was a bit opaque, making it hard for readers to grasp the main idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Well, it's all a bit opaque, and slightly unpredictable.

The Guardian - Money

"Two voices -- female or male -- can get pretty relentless if the material is a bit opaque.

The New York Times

But if that all seems a bit opaque, just watch our handy explainer, below.

The Guardian - Tech

I particularly like going to exhibitions when things are explained, otherwise the paintings can feel a bit opaque.

The Guardian

Jackson says the MoD can sometimes be a bit opaque about why inquests can take so long.

The Guardian

(The details of the business's current ownership are a bit opaque, owing in part, perhaps, to a pending lawsuit by an early Team Full Tilt member).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And I think we have to get better at talking about how getting better policies on tax and tax havens, beneficial ownership is actually about children living or dying, children going to school, mums and dads having a chance in life to make a living to be able to bring up their kids properly and we haven't quite got that, so it all sounds a little bit opaque.

The Guardian

Daniel Craig is a bit more opaque.

The New York Times

Anything that makes the world of hedge funds and private equity a bit less opaque is to be welcomed.

The New Yorker

Last night I noticed how, once we had talked and eaten, once everybody put their coats on, each person seemed rendered a bit more opaque by the sorts of looking-glass choices your book had just offered us.

The New York Times

She later appeared in "With Bated Breathe" (the title's odd spelling was not explained), in which, dressed in a black shift, she did a lot of earnest work with a chair and quite a bit of opaque gesturing to Chopin, ending, inexplicably, with a headstand.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a more precise term might better convey the specific nuance you intend. While "a bit opaque" is versatile, sometimes a more specific descriptor can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit opaque" as a vague substitute for more precise descriptions of unclear concepts. Provide specific examples or explanations to clarify what exactly is unclear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit opaque" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quality of being not entirely clear or transparent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to describe something lacking complete clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit opaque" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something that is somewhat unclear or difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms this. It appears most frequently in news and media sources and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. While versatile, it's essential to ensure that the context provides sufficient clues for the reader to infer the intended meaning, and sometimes a more precise term might better convey the specific nuance. If used without sufficient context can lead to overgeneralization so it's always recommended to provide further specific details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unclear

Indicates a lack of clarity, similar to "a bit opaque", but slightly more direct.

slightly ambiguous

Suggests that something has multiple possible interpretations, similar to being "a bit opaque".

rather vague

Implies a lack of precision or detail, sharing the sense of something not being fully clear with "a bit opaque".

somewhat obscure

Indicates that something is not easily discovered or understood, akin to being "a bit opaque".

a little hazy

Suggests a lack of clarity, as if seen through a haze, similarly to "a bit opaque".

not entirely transparent

Highlights a lack of openness or clarity, related to something being "a bit opaque".

leaves something to be desired in clarity

Emphasizes the inadequacy of clarity, indicating a stronger sense of opaqueness.

murky

Signifies a clouded or unclear quality, much like "a bit opaque", but can also imply a sense of suspicion or dishonesty.

clouded

Suggests something is obscured, similar to "a bit opaque", but can imply emotional confusion.

difficult to fathom

Implies that something is hard to understand after careful thought, conveying a deeper level of obscurity compared to "a bit opaque".

FAQs

What does "a bit opaque" mean?

The phrase "a bit opaque" means something is somewhat unclear or difficult to understand. It suggests a lack of transparency or clarity without being completely incomprehensible.

How can I use "a bit opaque" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit opaque" to describe explanations, concepts, or policies that are not entirely clear. For example, "The instructions were "a bit opaque", so I had trouble assembling the furniture."

What can I say instead of "a bit opaque"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unclear", "slightly ambiguous", or "rather vague" depending on the context.

Is "a bit opaque" formal or informal?

"A bit opaque" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from a more precise term.