Home › Media, Journalism & Publishing › Public Relations & Spin › transparency

transparency

trans-PAIR-un-see /trænsˈpærənsi/

nounC1TOEFLIELTSGMAT

formalneutral

The condition of being transparent; openness, accountability, and communication.

In a PR context, transparency means operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. It implies honesty, clear communication, and a willingness to be open about processes, decisions, and even mistakes.

The story behind the word. The word 'transparent' comes from the Medieval Latin 'transparentem,' meaning 'shining through.' It's formed from 'trans-' (through) and 'parere' (to appear). The figurative sense of openness and honesty in communication or governance developed much later, emphasizing the idea of being able to 'see through' an organization's actions without obstruction.

Word relationships

openness: The quality of being open and honest.
candor: The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
accountability: The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.

secrecy: The action of keeping something secret or the state of being kept secret.
opacity: The quality of being opaque; lack of transparency.
concealment: The action of hiding something or preventing it from being known.

Commonly confused with

clarity: Clarity refers to being clear and easy to understand; transparency refers to being open and visible in actions/processes.

Word family

transparent (adjective): allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen; (of an organization or procedure) open to public scrutiny

Collocations

greater transparency
full transparency
lack of transparency
promote transparency
financial transparency
government transparency

Example sentences

"The new CEO promised greater transparency in financial reporting to rebuild investor trust." Discussing corporate ethics.
"Advocates called for increased transparency in government dealings to prevent corruption." Referring to government operations.

Memory hook

Think of 'transparency' like a 'transparent' window – you can see 'through' it clearly, meaning nothing is hidden. See through clearly

When not to use

Do not use 'transparency' to describe something literally clear (like glass) when discussing communication or ethics; use 'clarity' or 'clearness' for physical properties.

Fun facts

The concept of government transparency gained significant traction during the Enlightenment period.
Many modern laws, like Freedom of Information Acts, are designed to enforce transparency in public institutions.