Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of glass: Opal glass is a milky white glass that is either translucent (allowing light to pass through diffusely) or opaque (not allowing light to pass through). It is characterized by its white, cloudy appearance.

Usage

• Opal glass is used as a material for making decorative items, lighting fixtures, and tableware where a soft, diffused light or an opaque white finish is desired.
• It is often chosen for its aesthetic qualities, providing a smooth, uniform, and non-transparent surface.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The vintage lamp was made from beautiful opal glass.
  • She collected opal glass vases because of their soft, milky appearance.
  • The kitchen shelves were made of opal glass to diffuse the light from the bulbs behind them.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Artistic Context: In glassmaking, opal glass is created by adding ingredients like bone ash or tin oxide to the glass melt to cause light scattering, resulting in its characteristic opacity or translucency.
  • The artist specialized in sculpting with opal glass to create ethereal figures.

Variants and Related Words

• Opaline (adj/n): Sometimes used as an adjective to describe something resembling opal glass, or as a noun for a type of opal glass.
  • The opaline sheen of the vase caught the light beautifully.
• Milk glass: A common synonym for a similar type of opaque white glass, though the terms are often used interchangeably in casual contexts.

Synonyms

• Milk glass: Opaque white glass.
• Alabaster glass: Glass resembling the mineral alabaster in appearance.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Opal glass shade: A lampshade made from opal glass.
  • He replaced the clear shade with an opal glass shade for a softer glow.
• Opal glass diffuser: A component in lighting designed to scatter light evenly.
  • The ceiling light uses an opal glass diffuser to prevent glare.

Noun

1. a milky white translucent or opaque glass