Definition of nuance
1 : a subtle distinction or variation Nuances of flavor and fragrance cannot be described accurately … — Scott Seegers … these terms have certain nuances of meaning … — Ben F. Nelms
2 : a subtle quality : nicety … the nuances of an individual's voice … — Michael Swaine
3 : sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning, feeling, or value) … a performance of remarkable pliability and nuance. — Irvine Kolodin
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Examples of nuance in a sentence
Between the lines of lexicographical nuance and quotation, Johnson was paying old debts and seeking out wisdom about himself and his adopted city, as well as compiling perhaps the greatest commonplace book in the history of mankind. —Andrew O'Hagan, New York Review, 27 Apr. 2006
In every silky statement from General Musharraf about the need for a short—in other words: limited—war, and in every nuance of the Pakistani official posture, I was sure I detected the local version of Schadenfreude. —Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, January 2002
To La Farge, eccentricity meant convention; a mind really eccentric never betrayed it. True eccentricity was a tone—a shade—a nuance—and the finer the tone, the truer the eccentricity. —Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams, 1907
He listened to the subtle nuances in the song.
a poem of little depth and nuance
Recent Examples of nuance from the web
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During the past year, the car program has been learning the nuance of driving among humans, Mr. Dolgov said.
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But whether in response to the criticism over Sansa’s rape or because this is how this subplot was always designed, the show is finally handling the fallout of sexual violence with some nuance.
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This view also calls for more nuance in describing things like the worship of Mao.
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There’s no nuance here — Ryan Murphy and company are going deep on the way race completely upended the O.J. trial.
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All true, but unfortunately in today’s politics, nuance loses.
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The gym filled with several hundred spectators, most of them practitioners or parents attuned to the sport’s nuances.
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Mann's camera, though certainly expressive, was nevertheless deeply attuned to the nuance of the procedures undertaken — from the start of the job straight through to its bitter end, Thief ensures that every detail is accurate.
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Bush is best when insisting on his two or three main points, Kerry when recognizing the nuances of any particular issue.
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nuance: So Subtle You Might Miss It
Although nuance is defined as "a subtle distinction or variation," the adjective subtle is frequently seen modifying the noun:
Ms. Fyfield is remarkably thorough in her psychological profiles, giving subtle nuances to characters who are mere passers-by in this psychodrama.
Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review, 27 Aug. 1989Still, the beloved diva sustained exquisite control of her vast vocal resources, enriching line after line with gleaming tone and subtle nuance.
Martin Bernheimer, The Financial Times, 15 Nov. 2016
Since the definition of nuance already connotes subtlety—we don't speak of blatant or obvious nuances—some might regard the use of subtle as a modifier here to be redundant. But the fact of its frequent use is an indication that the connotation of subtlety in nuance might itself be too subtle to be picked up by many English speakers.
Did You Know?
The history of "nuance" starts in Latin with the noun nubes, meaning "cloud." "Nubes" floated into Middle French as nue, also meaning "cloud," and "nue" gave rise to nuer, meaning "to make shades of color." "Nuer" in turn produced "nuance," which in Middle French meant shade of color. English borrowed "nuance" from French, with the meaning "a subtle distinction or variation," in the late 18th century. That use persists today. Additionally, "nuance" is sometimes used in a specific musical sense, designating a subtle, expressive variation in a musical performance (such as in tempo, dynamic intensity, or timbre) that is not indicated in the score.
Origin and Etymology of nuance
French, from Middle French, shade of color, from nuer to make shades of color, from nue cloud, from Latin nubes; perhaps akin to Welsh nudd mist
First Known Use: 1781
NUANCE Defined for English Language Learners
nuance
playDefinition of nuance for English Language Learners
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: a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.
Learn More about nuance
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See words that rhyme with nuance Spanish Central: Translation of nuance Nglish: Translation of nuance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nuance for Arabic speakers
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