© 2026 Sloth Lingo. Learn easy. Lounge wisely.

nuance

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˈnjuːɑːns/

KK: /ˈnjuːɑːns/

noun
Definition

A small or subtle difference in meaning, feeling, or tone that can change how something is understood or expressed.


Example

The artist's work is full of nuance, capturing the complex emotions of the subject.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you notice the nuance in her voice during the presentation?
Sloth B
Yeah, it really added depth to her message.
Sloth A
I think understanding those little nuances can make a big difference.
Sloth B
Absolutely! It shows how much thought she put into it.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
shade
subtlety
distinction
Antonyms
bluntness
uniformity
clarity
Root Explanation

Nuance comes from the French word 'nuance' (meaning shade or subtlety), which is derived from the Latin 'nubes' (meaning cloud). The word refers to a subtle difference or variation, much like the shades of color in a cloud.

Memory Tip

Think of the French word for shade, 'nuance', to remember that it refers to subtle differences or variations, similar to how clouds can have different shades.

Visually Confused Words
nance
nuisance
ensuance
usance
nuncle
nuisancer
nane
nace
Is this page helpful?