nuance

nu·ance | \ ˈnü-ˌän(t)s

, ˈnyü-, -ˌäⁿs; nü-ˈän(t)s, nyü-, -ˈäⁿs \

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

Nuance: So Subtle You Might Miss It Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about nuance

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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. 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.

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.

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 Even within the cycling trial, there were some nuances. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, "Your Warm-Up Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think," 28 Mar. 2020 Thanks largely to the talented Latinx writers and directors Saracho enlisted for the project, Vida brings lived-in nuance to issues like class, colorism and desire—yielding one of TV’s smartest and sexiest shows. — Judy Berman, Time, "The 10 Best TV Shows of 2019," 29 Nov. 2019 Doing it right requires supreme attention to nuance. — Wired, "For N. K. Jemisin, World-Building Is a Lesson in Oppression," 12 Nov. 2019 The real pleasure is in the nuance: the weird cake that judge Prue Leith chose as a technical challenge, or whether a baker really deserved the Hollywood Handshake for those eclairs. — Annaliese Griffin, Quartzy, "Netflix won’t let you binge-watch this show’s latest season, and it’s doing you a favor," 1 Sep. 2019 Just like integrity itself, though, this issue isn’t without nuance. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Tell Mom you refuse to lie for her," 17 July 2019 The nuances of the medical cannabis market here are only slightly easier to follow. — David Segal, New York Times, "North Macedonia Waits for a Green Light, and a Lucrative High," 25 Mar. 2020 In earlier testimony, Smiley explained some of the financial nuances of his show. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "At Morals Clause Trial, Tavis Smiley Attacks "Lies," Acknowledges Relationships With Subordinates," 26 Feb. 2020 These might seem like simple charades but there’s more to these nuances of nature than meets the eye. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, "This Pretty Orchid Looks Just Like a Bumble Bee (And It Helps Attract Them, Too!)," 30 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nuance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.