nuance

[noo-ahns, nyoo-, noo-ahns, nyoo-, ny-ahns]

noun

plural

nuances 

1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.

   Synonyms: refinement, nicety, subtlety, shading, shade

2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tone.

verb (used with object)

nuanced, nuancing 

1. to give nuance to; to color.

   She carefully nuanced her words, to put a positive spin on the situation.

nuance

/ njuːˈɑːns, ˈnjuːɑːns /

noun

1. a subtle difference in colour, meaning, tone, etc; a shade or graduation

verb

1. to give subtle differences to

   carefully nuanced words

nuance

1. A fine shade of meaning: “I liked the film, but I know I missed some of its nuances.”

Other Word Forms

• nuanced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuance¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from French: “shade, hue,” equivalent to nu(er) “to shade” (literally, “to cloud”), from unattested Vulgar Latin nūbāre, derivative of unattested nūba, for Latin nūbēs “cloud”) + -ance noun suffix; -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuance¹

C18: from French, from nuer to show light and shade, ultimately from Latin nūbēs a cloud

Example Sentences

But educators are grappling with many nuanced scenarios.

From Los Angeles Times

The task is not to deny grief or admiration but to preserve space for nuance and accountability.

From Salon

Though it is morally complex and modest in scope, it doesn’t dive deep enough into the nuance here, opting for surface-level emotions.

From Los Angeles Times

“The FDA’s letter, while significantly more nuanced than the president’s comments on the issue, still gives too much weight to findings from poorly designed studies,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are a lot more nuanced than this video allows.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distinction 
• gradation 
• hint 
• implication 
• nicety 
• refinement 
• subtlety