nuance
nuance
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling for "nuance":
/ˈnjuː.ɑːns/ (most common pronunciations in both British and American English)
Breakdown by Syllable:
First Syllable (nu-)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal (similar to "n" in "sip")
/juː/ - long close front rounded vowel (similar to "oo" in "boot")
Second Syllable (-ance)
/ɑːns/ - long back open vowel (similar to "ah" in "father") + voiceless alveolar nasal (similar to "n" in "sip")
Word Form Variations
The word "nuance" has relatively few variations in form:
Singular: nuance (This is the base form you'll use most often.)
Plural: nuances (The plural is formed by adding "-s" to the singular.)
Adjective: nuanced (This is formed by adding "-ed" to the noun.) - Describes something with subtle distinctions or variations.
There is no verb form of "nuance" in standard English. However, in some less common usages, you might see "to nuance" which means "to give nuance to something." This usage is not widespread.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A subtle difference in meaning, expression, feeling, or appearance. (This definition captures the core meaning of nuance as a slight variation.)
Synonyms: subtlety, nicety, refinement, shade, gradation
Antonyms: bluntness, obviousness, crudity, starkness
Adjective:
Definition: Having or showing subtle differences in meaning, expression, feeling, or appearance. (This definition describes something that incorporates nuances.)
Synonyms: subtle, sophisticated, refined, delicate, layered
Antonyms: blunt, obvious, crude, straightforward, simplistic
Note: As mentioned previously, "nuance" does not have a commonly used verb or adverb form in standard English.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He spoke with a quiet intensity, each word carrying the nuance of a past he wouldn't share." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
Newspapers:
"The historian argued that the peace treaty was riddled with nuance, leaving room for future conflict." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"The film critic praised the director for capturing the nuance of human relationships in everyday life." (The Atlantic)
Entertainment:
Movie: In the movie "Arrival," the linguist struggles to understand the nuanced communication of the alien species.
TV Show: A comedy show might use subtle facial expressions to convey a character's inner emotions, adding nuance to the performance.
Public Discourse:
"In a heated political debate, the politician attempted to address the issue with nuance, acknowledging the complexities involved."
"The art exhibit showcased a variety of styles, with each piece offering a nuanced perspective on social issues."
Social Media:
"Her tweet offered a nuanced take on the current event, sparking a thoughtful discussion."
These examples showcase how "nuance" is used across various mediums to describe subtle variations, complexities, and layers of meaning.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Nuance
While there aren't many direct uses of "nuance" in very famous quotes, here are 10 quotes that capture the essence of nuance or the importance of understanding subtle complexities:
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." - Socrates (This quote highlights the importance of acknowledging the limitations of our knowledge and the existence of subtleties beyond our grasp.)
"Life is not black and white, but a beautiful spectrum of grey." - Douglas Horton (This quote directly references the concept of nuance, where things are not always clear-cut.)
"First impressions are often misleading. It is only after a period of scrutiny that you can distinguish the superficial from the substantial." - E.F.L. Woodham (This quote emphasises the need to go beyond surface appearances to understand the true nature of something, which requires attention to nuance.)
"There are three sides to every story: your side, their side, and the truth." - Unknown (This proverb highlights the complexity of situations and the existence of multiple perspectives with their own nuances.)
"The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it." - Michelangelo (This quote emphasises the importance of striving for depth and complexity, avoiding simplistic solutions.)
"It is difficult to get the news from people who are interested only in disseminating it." - Katharine Graham (This quote highlights the potential for bias and the need to consider different viewpoints with their own nuances.)
"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between a lightning bug and a bolt of lightning." - Mark Twain (This quote emphasises the importance of precision and the subtle difference between something that seems right and something that truly captures the complexity of a situation.)
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned." - Edgar Friedenberg (This quote highlights the value of open-mindedness and the importance of considering different perspectives and their nuances.)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (This quote emphasises the importance of critical thinking and delving deeper to understand the complexities of life and experience.)
"The cynic can be quoted, the sceptic can be refuted, but the puzzled look of a child is an honest question that no politician, however smooth, can sidestep." - Adlai E. Stevenson (This quote highlights the value of questioning and seeking deeper understanding, recognizing the limitations of simplistic answers.)
Etymology
The word "nuance" is like a detective story about clouds! Here's the breakdown:
Origin story: Believe it or not, "nuance" comes from the Latin word "nubes," which means "cloud."
Connecting the dots: In Latin, clouds were seen as things that softened sunlight, creating different shades of light.
French connection: The word went on a journey to France, where it became "nuer," meaning "to shade" or add subtle variations of colour.
Birth of nuance: Finally, in the 18th century, the French word "nuance" was borrowed by English. It kept the meaning of a slight difference, but not just in colour – it could be a subtle difference in meaning, feeling, or even how something looks.
First case: The first known use of "nuance" in English was around 1781, most likely referring to these subtle variations.
So, "nuance" went from describing the soft shadings of clouds to capturing the delicate complexities in the world around us!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Nuance
With nuance: This means with a subtle understanding or consideration of the different aspects or complexities of something. (e.g., "The author explored the characters' motivations with nuance.")
Lose the nuance: This means to miss the subtle details or complexities of something by simplifying it. (e.g., "The news report lost the nuance of the issue by focusing on one extreme viewpoint.")
Read between the lines: This idiom means to understand the implied meaning of something, often by considering subtle cues like tone of voice or body language. (e.g., "She read between the lines and understood that his apology wasn't sincere.")
A fine nuance: This refers to a very subtle difference or distinction. (e.g., "The artist captured the fine nuance of expression in the model's eyes.")
No two ways about it: This idiom means that something is clear-cut and there's no room for interpretation or nuance. (e.g., "While the policy has its nuances, there's no two ways about it - it's a step in the right direction.")
Posts Related to Nuance
Source Information
Definition of nuance from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved
