English · Arts & Literature
nuance
/ˈnjuː.ɑːns/
[/ˈnjuː.ɑːns/]
subtle difference
Advancednoun
Definition
A subtle or slight difference in meaning, expression, tone, or quality that is easy to overlook.
Example
A good translator captures the nuance of the original text rather than just its literal meaning.
A good translator captures the nuance of the original text rather than just its literal meaning.
Etymology
From French 'nuance' (shade of colour), from Latin 'nubes' (cloud).
How & Where It’s Used
Frequent in discussions of language, art, politics, and interpretation.