How do you spell nuance

Although nuance is defined as "a subtle distinction or variation," the adjective subtle is frequently seen modifying the noun:. Fyfield is remarkably thorough in her psychological profiles, giving subtle nuances to characters who are mere passers-by in this psychodrama. Still, the beloved diva sustained exquisite control of her vast vocal resources, enriching line after line with gleaming tone and subtle nuance.

Since the definition of nuance already connotes subtlety—we don't speak of blatant or obvious nuances—some might regard the use of subtle as a modifier here to be redundant. But the fact of its frequent use is an indication that the connotation of subtlety in nuance might itself be too subtle to be picked up by many English speakers.

The history of "nuance" starts in Latin with the noun nubes, meaning "cloud. English borrowed "nuance" from French, with the meaning "a subtle distinction or variation," in the late 18th century. That use persists today. Additionally, "nuance" is sometimes used in a specific musical sense, designating a subtle, expressive variation in a musical performance such as in tempo, dynamic intensity, or timbre that is not indicated in the score. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nuance.

Send us feedback. French, from Middle French, shade of color, from nuer to make shades of color, from nue cloud, from Latin nubes ; perhaps akin to Welsh nudd mist. Backlash against comments made by a State Department spokeswoman See more words from the same year. More Definitions for nuance.

See the full definition for nuance in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with nuance. Spanish Central: Translation of nuance. Nglish: Translation of nuance for Spanish Speakers. Britannica English: Translation of nuance for Arabic Speakers. What made you want to look up nuance? Please tell us where you read or heard it including the quote, if possible.

A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. A minor distinction. The definition of a nuance is a subtle difference. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone. A rich artistic performance, full of nuance. To treat or consider with nuance; give nuances to.

Subtlety or fine detail. A slight or delicate variation in tone, color, meaning, etc. Extreme vocal virtuosity, expression, and attention to nuances of vocal timbre, for example, are traits prized by both operatic and rock singers. Not every verbal nuance reflects mood or aspect - we haven't even gotten to the voices yet.

The distinguishing nuance consists in the fact that the third element intentionally produces the conflict in order to gain a dominating position. The focus upon gendered cultural flows, rather than static socio-economic positions, gives nuances to the contributions that deal with political, economic and social issues.

It is a view based, in the first place, on a misleading oversimplification of the nuances and complexities of different political ideologies of the time. Paradoxically, then, although the difference between invalidation and nonvalidation may seem but a nuance , it matters greatly.

There was no room in his production for the nuance of postwar modernism. The writer argues that there is a need among learners for a heightened critical awareness of web-source nuances.

The latter have usually been defined as merely 'political', but recent research has made it possible to nuance that definition. She is alive to its nuances and is able to set it in a broad intellectual context.

These categories were given to the interviewer to bring nuance to answers that could otherwise have been missed by them.

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors. Translations of nuance in Chinese Traditional. See more. Need a translator? Translator tool. What is the pronunciation of nuance? Browse NTA. Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes.