nuance

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

/ ˈnu ɑns, ˈnyu-, nuˈɑns, nyu-; French nüˈɑ̃s /

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noun, plural nu·anc·es [noo-ahn-siz, nyoo-, noo-ahn-siz, nyoo-; French ny-ahns] /ˈnu ɑn sɪz, ˈnyu-, nuˈɑn sɪz, nyu-; French nüˈɑ̃s/.

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

a very slight difference or variation in color or tone.

Nearby words

nu soul, nu, u, nu-, nu-metal, nu-value, nuance, nub, nuba, nubain, nubbin, nubble

Origin of nuance

1775–85; < French: shade, hue, equivalent to nu(er) to shade (literally, to cloud < Vulgar Latin *nūbāre, derivative of *nūba, for Latin nūbēs cloud) + -ance -ance

SYNONYMS FOR nuance

1 subtlety, nicety, hint, refinement.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nuance ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

nu·anced, adjectiveun·nu·anced, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nuances

But even if he didn't understand all of the nuances of Lou's disability, he was convinced it was serious.
The Stacks: The Day Lou Gehrig Delivered Baseball’s Gettysburg Address|Ray Robinson|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His only offense was a moral one, though none of his critics could possibly know the terms and nuances of his marriage.
Too Late To 'Pologize For NSA Revenge Porn Leak|Lizzie Crocker|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pair traveled to Penn Hills at least a dozen times over three months, teasing out the nuances and former life of the property.
A Most Illegal Adventure with New York City’s Wildest Underground Event Planners|Nina Strochlic|December 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
How many of the decision makers in Israel can confidently respond to the nuances of API?
The Arab Peace Initiative Makes Its Way to the Knesset|Tal Harris|May 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It is part of a continuing quest to sort through the nuances and reach a modern conclusion in these turbulent times.
The New Era of Evolution Helps Pols Switch Stance on Issues from Gay Marriage to Immigration|Howard Kurtz|April 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And what can be more ingeniously pathetic than the nuances of feeling expressed in these lines?
Studies of the Greek Poets (Vol II of 2)|John Addington Symonds
I knew what he meant, because now I learn the nuances of English words.
The Lightning Conductor Discovers America|C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson and A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
He appreciated Mrs. Clarke, and thought her full of intelligence, of nuances, and tres fine.
In the Wilderness|Robert Hichens
Before I had any chance to discuss the nuances of a clean-up's walk in life, Fritz was pointing out a new source of molten danger.
Steel|Charles Rumford Walker
These different varieties and nuances demand methodic classification.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont

British Dictionary definitions for nuances

nuance

/ (njuːˈɑːns, ˈnjuːɑːns) /

noun

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

verb (tr; passive)

to give subtle differences tocarefully nuanced words

Word Origin for nuance

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for nuances

nuance

[ (nooh-ahns) ]

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