nuance
NOO-ahnss
/ˈnuːɑːns/
A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
Nuance is what separates a good translation from a great one; it's about the 'feeling' between the lines.
The story behind the word. From the French word 'nuer,' meaning 'to shade.' This comes from 'nue,' meaning 'cloud.' Just as clouds create subtle changes in light and shadow, nuance creates subtle changes in meaning.
Word relationships
- subtlety: Subtlety is the quality of being delicate; nuance is the specific small difference itself.
- obviousness: Something that is easily seen or understood without any subtle detail.
Commonly confused with
- difference: A difference can be huge; a nuance is always small and subtle.
Word family
- nuanced (adjective): Characterized by subtle shades of meaning.
Collocations
- subtle nuance
- capture the nuance
- lack nuance
Example sentences
- "The actor's performance was full of nuance, conveying deep sadness with just a slight flicker of the eyes." Describing a skilled performance.
- "A computer can translate words, but it often struggles to capture the nuance of a sarcastic remark." Linguistic challenge.
Memory hook
Nuance sounds like 'New-Ants.' Ants are tiny and hard to tell apart unless you look for the 'nuances' (tiny differences). A tiny shade of difference.
When not to use
Don't use it for a big, obvious difference.
Fun facts
- In music, 'nuance' refers to the subtle changes in volume or tempo that give a piece its emotional character.
Explore more words
subtext, discerning, undertone, finesse, perceptive, discern
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