# nuance

/ˈnuɑns/ (US) · /njˈuːəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nuance
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a small difference

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a tiny difference in meaning, feeling, or tone that might be hard to see at first.

For teachers: a subtle distinction or variation in meaning, expression, or response. Countable in this sense.

- The actor captured every nuance of the character's sadness without saying a word.
- A skilled translator must capture the cultural nuances of the original text to ensure the intended tone remains intact for a foreign audience.

### 3. to make subtle

verb · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

to add small details to an idea or statement to make it more accurate or less simple.

For teachers: to give a nuance to; to refine or qualify a statement or position by adding subtle distinctions. Transitive use.

- I would like to nuance my earlier statement so people don't misunderstand me.
- The researcher attempted to nuance the prevailing theory by introducing variables that had been previously overlooked in the initial studies.

## Examples

- He missed the nuance of her joke and got offended.
- The translator worked hard to capture every nuance of the original poem so the foreign readers would not miss the author's tone.
- Because the debate was restricted to two-minute soundbites, any opportunity for nuance was lost, forcing the candidates into increasingly polarised and simplistic positions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.