Transparent means see-through: transparent glass, a transparent bag. Figuratively, it means open, with nothing hidden: transparent prices are clear prices, and a transparent process is one that can be checked. A long sign with words carried at a demonstration is a banner, and a sign held in the hands is a sign or placard, even though a similar word, such as German Transparent, means a banner.
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transparent + plastic/glass/bag; be transparent about + noun; a transparent process/system
- Put your liquids in a small transparent bag before airport security.
- Our new manager is very transparent about how bonuses are calculated.
- The voting process should be fair and transparent.
What changed
First versionStudents marched to the town hall with big transparents.
RevisionStudents marched to the town hall with big banners.
Transparent may sound like the name of a protest sign, but English has no noun transparent meaning a sign. So it was replaced with banner, a long piece of cloth with writing on it.
For clothes you can see through, people usually say see-through in conversation: a see-through shirt. Transparent is possible too, but it sounds drier. Water is usually described as clear: clear water, not transparent water.
Your turn
Fans held up a huge ___ with the team's name across the whole stand.
Show the answer
banner — A huge piece of cloth with the team's name across the stand is a banner. Transparent is an adjective meaning “see-through”, and it can't be a sign.
Describe a company, shop or service you trust. Say how exactly it's honest with its customers.
I trust my bank because it is transparent about fees: every charge appears in the app before I pay.
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