nu·ance (n  äns , ny-, n-äns, ny-)n. 1. A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. 2. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone: a rich artistic performance, full of nuance. [French, from Old French, from nuer, to shade, cloud, from nue, cloud, from Vulgar Latin *n  ba, from Latin nb s.]nu anced adj.Synonyms: nuance, gradation, shade These nouns denote a slight variation or differentiation between nearly identical entities: sensitive to delicate nuances of style; gradations of feeling from infatuation to deep affection; subtle shades of meaning. |
nuance [njuːˈɑːns ˈnjuːɑːns]
n
a subtle difference in colour, meaning, tone, etc.; a shade or graduation
vb (tr; passive)
to give subtle differences to carefully nuanced words
[from French, from nuer to show light and shade, ultimately from Latin nūbēs a cloud]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | nuance - a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude; "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning" meaning, signification, import, significance - the message that is intended or expressed or signified; "what is the meaning of this sentence"; "the significance of a red traffic light"; "the signification of Chinese characters"; "the import of his announcement was ambiguous" |
nuance
noun subtlety, degree, distinction, graduation, refinement, nicety, gradation Our eyes can communicate virtually every subtle nuance of emotion.
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