- A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation.
- Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone: a rich artistic performance, full of nuance.
[French, from Old French, from nuer, to shade, cloud, from nue, cloud, from Vulgar Latin *nūba, from Latin nūbēs.]
nuanced nu'anced adj.SYNONYMS nuance, gradation, shade. These nouns denote a slight variation or differentiation between nearly identical entities: sensitive to delicate nuances of style; gradations of feeling from infatuation to deep affection; subtle shades of meaning.







