nuance

noun

nu·​ance ˈnü-ˌän(t)s 

ˈnyü-,

-ˌäⁿs;

nü-ˈän(t)s,

nyü-,

-ˈäⁿs

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

Did you know?

The history of nuance starts in Latin with the noun nūbēs, meaning "cloud." Nūbēs 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.

Did you know?

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. 1989

Still, 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.

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 on the Web

As a parent herself, Turner understands the nuances of college applications firsthand. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 17 May 2025

There’s not much nuance to the figure that swayed Soto to the Mets: $51 million per season, easily a record, with a strong chance to earn more than $800 million in the deal. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 17 May 2025

Ignoring this nuance can lead to unrealistic expectations and short-sighted decisions. —Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

There is nuance in what the EPA did The EPA plans to scrap limits on three types of PFAS, some of which are less well known. —Michael Phillis, Twin Cities, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "shade of a color, subtle distinction," going back to Middle French, "shade of a color," from nuer "to shade (colors) by gradual transition, blend, match" (going back to Middle French, derivative of nué "shaded from one color to another or from darker to lighter") + -ance -ance; nué from nu "cloud" (going back to Latin nūbēs) + -é, suffix of appurtenance and resemblance, going back to Latin -ātus -ate entry 3; nūbēs perhaps going back to Indo-European *(s)neu̯d^h- or *(s)nou̯d^h-, whence also Welsh nudd "mist, haze"

Note: The association of a word for "cloud" with gradation of color apparently comes from the perception that the color of an object is weakened when mist passes over it. — The presumed Indo-European *(s)neu̯d^h- has also been compared with Avestan snaoδa- "clouds" (if this is the correct meaning), snaoδəṇt- "weeping," and Balochi nod "cloud." If Latin obnūbere "to veil, cover (usually the head)" is relevant, the original meaning of the etymon may have been "covering."

First Known Use

1781, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nuance

noun

nu·​ance ˈn(y)ü-ˌän(t)s 

n(y)u̇-ˈän(t)s

: a slight shade or degree of difference (as in color, tone, or meaning)