nuance n : 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" [syn: nicety, shade, subtlety, refinement]

see Nuance

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) /ˈnjuː.ɑːns/
• (US) /ˈnuː.ɑːns/

Etymology

From the French nuance meaning "shade" or "hue".

Noun

1. A minor distinction.
2. Subtlety or fine detail.

   Understanding the basics is easy; appreciating the nuances takes years.

   • 1901: Alpheus Spring Packard, Lamarck, the Founder of Evolution

     ...the richer our collections become, the more numerous are the proofs that all is more or less shaded (nuance), that the remarkable differences become obliterated...

Translations

minor distinction

• Swedish: nyans

Noun

fr-noun f

1. nuance

Nuance can refer to the following:

• Subtle shift in color, or feeling, or meaning.

• The make of a refined or subtle distinction in ideas.

• Nuance Communications, the name of a company that sells voice and productivity software solutions.

• Nuance, the name of a 1980s dance music group.

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