nuance
4 synonyms for nuance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A subtle difference or shade of meaning, feeling, or tone.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use nuance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
subtle nuance
catch the nuance
nuances of meaning
Etymology
Borrowed from French nuance, "shade" or "hue," ultimately traced back to Latin nubes, "cloud."
Full origin of nuance →Frequently asked questions
What does “nuance” mean?
The word “nuance” means a subtle difference or shade of meaning, feeling, or tone. In plain terms, a small, subtle detail that changes the meaning or feel of something.
How do you pronounce “nuance”?
“Nuance” is pronounced NYOO-ahns (/ˈnju.ɑns/ in IPA).
How do you use “nuance” in a sentence?
Here is “nuance” used in a sentence: “A good translator captures the nuances of the original text.”
What part of speech is “nuance”?
“Nuance” is a noun.
Where does the word “nuance” come from?
The word “nuance” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French nuance, "shade" or "hue," ultimately traced back to Latin nubes, "cloud.".
