quite opaque

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite opaque" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not clear or difficult to understand, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The report was quite opaque, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Oh you know Mary, she's always quite opaque".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unlike "Agamemnon's Daughter" and "The Successor," the analysis of incomprehensibility here seems quite opaque.

The New Yorker

"It's quite opaque," he said, "but the holes still give a bit of transparency".

The New York Times

As a result, poetry from this era was often written in a quite opaque form.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, the law surrounding surrogacy and adoption is quite opaque across Australia.

The Guardian - Opinion

The irony of course is that before 2010 we did well (with the benefit of hindsight) partly because our identity was quite opaque.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

One of the artist's impeccably made riddles about the designer-brand high life, it is not quite as opaque as usual.

The New York Times - Arts

So, next time you're wondering about permissions I hope that this article, exhaustive as it is, helps to explain what can sometimes be quite an opaque part of Android.

The Guardian

In fact, it was quite gorgeous: opaque glass sliding doors, dark porcelain tile that looks like wood, an expanse of mirrored medicine cabinets, sinks that have plenty of counter space, a glassed-in shower and the pièce de résistance: a huge 70-gallon soap-shaped Waterworks bathtub.

The New York Times

Among the many mysteries of the British book world, none is quite so opaque as the life of the ghostwriter, the invisible man or woman who fulfils the vanity of those who want their name on the cover of a book but who, for the life of them, cannot write.

The Guardian - Books

DHS, although also having a culture of secrecy, is not quite so opaque as DoD and can at least partially pass a financial audit.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or situations, use "quite opaque" to suggest a lack of clarity that is noticeable but not entirely impenetrable. This nuanced phrasing is particularly effective in professional or academic writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "quite opaque" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "confusing" are more appropriate and sound more natural in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite opaque" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It is typically used to describe something that lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite opaque" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is somewhat difficult to understand or lacking in clarity. Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. Ludwig's analysis confirms that this phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. With a solid expert rating and a high source quality score, using "quite opaque" appropriately can enhance the precision and sophistication of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rather unclear

Changes the intensifier to 'rather', offering a slightly softer degree of opaqueness or lack of clarity.

Somewhat ambiguous

Replaces 'opaque' with 'ambiguous', focusing on the uncertainty and multiple possible interpretations of something.

Fairly obscure

Uses 'obscure' instead of 'opaque', indicating something is not easily discovered or understood.

Largely incomprehensible

Replaces 'opaque' with 'incomprehensible', emphasizing the inability to understand something.

Not very transparent

Phrases the concept in terms of a lack of transparency, indicating something is not open or clear.

Difficult to discern

Focuses on the difficulty in perceiving or understanding something clearly.

Hard to fathom

Uses 'fathom' to express the difficulty in understanding something complex or mysterious.

Murky and unclear

Employs 'murky' to add a sense of cloudiness or lack of clarity to the description.

Vague and ill-defined

Highlights the lack of clear definition or precision in something.

Clouded and confusing

Uses 'clouded' to suggest that something is obscured or made difficult to understand, combined with 'confusing'.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite opaque" to describe something that is not easily understood or lacks clarity. For example: "The legal jargon in the contract was "quite opaque", making it difficult to understand the terms."

What are some alternatives to "quite opaque"?

Alternatives include "rather unclear", "somewhat ambiguous", or "fairly obscure". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "quite opaque" or "very opaque"?

"Quite opaque" suggests a noticeable lack of clarity, while "very opaque" emphasizes a strong lack of clarity. The choice depends on the degree to which something is difficult to understand. "Quite" implies a degree less intense than "very".

What does it mean when something is described as "quite opaque"?

When something is described as "quite opaque", it means that it is somewhat difficult to see through, either literally or figuratively. It suggests a level of obscurity or lack of transparency that makes understanding or interpretation challenging.