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nuance

/ˈnjuːɑːns/noun

A very small difference in meaning, feeling, colour, or sound.

Example sentences

  • “Learning the nuances between similar words takes years of practice.”
  • “A good translator captures every nuance of the original poem.”

Borrowed from French. You speak of the nuances of meaning that separate near-synonyms.

Featured as word of the day on April 26, 2026.

Synonyms for nuance

  • subtlety
  • shade of meaning
  • nicety
  • distinction

Find it in: Advanced English words.

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