nuance Definition
nu·ance (no̵̅o̅′äns′, nyo̵̅o̅′-)
noun
a slight or delicate variation in tone, color, meaning, etc.; shade of difference
Etymology: Fr < nuer, to shade < nue < VL *nuba, for L nubes, a cloud < IE *sneudh-, fog (> Welsh nudd), prob. < base *(s)na-, to flow, moisture > natant
nuance Synonyms
nuance Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- meaning: Translations from the language exhibit full understanding of all nuances of meaning.
- expression: A lot of attention has gone into the subtle nuances of facial expressions, where even a slightly raised eyebrow speaks volumes.
- language: Does the translator capture the key nuances of the original language?
- speech: He and his assistant Laura, were, for example, very aware of the nuances of speech and gestures.
- character: There is no one better at describing the nuances of a character 's persona.
- color: They require us to stand before them, close enough to experience all their nuances of color and structure.
Converse of object
- convey: The title of the show is one of a multitude of Finnish terms evolved to convey the myriad nuances of the Finnish twilight.
- capture: In its cloudy vapors your face, every nuance captured.
- appreciate: Who better to appreciate the nuances of boredom than sheep?
- grasp: After a while you even grasp the subtle nuances too.
- understand: Anyway, let's not get into understanding these more complex nuances of the English language right now.
- miss: I didn't want to miss a nuance from the great man - not a flicker of an eyelid.
Noun used with modifier
oak: The palate is full and lively with clean yellow fruit flavors, backed up by gentle oak spice nuances.
Adjective modifier
- subtle: From a distance, the Taj Mahal's marble picks up the subtle nuances of the changing light.
- expressive: At last, there's a digital synth that lets you concentrate on and control the expressive nuances of your music in real time.
- delicate: The overall effect is three dimensional with tasteful and delicate nuances.
- linguistic: All this detective work and attention to linguistic nuance slows our pace.
- verbal: Even if it is impossible to embrace all Forster's verbal nuances, this production conveys his strange double vision.
- emotional: Sophie Yates plays with exceptional poise and draws out every emotional nuance.
Preposition: in
text: But these Sadducees were very used to making interpretations based on tiny nuances in the text of the scriptures.

