nuance Hear it!

nuance Definition

nu·ance (no̵̅o̅äns′, 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

n.

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.

Browse dictionary entries near nuance

  1. nuée ardente
  2. nu
  3. NTSC
  4. NTSB
  5. NTP
  6. nth
  7. NTACS
  8. NTA
  9. NT2
  10. NT1
  1. nuanced
  2. nub
  3. nubbin
  4. nubble
  5. nubby
  6. Nubia
  7. Nubian
  8. Nubian Desert
  9. nubile
  10. nubilous