nuance
gb/nˈuɑns/ us/nˈuɑns/
C1
English
árnyalat, finom különbség, árnyaltság, árnyal
NOUN
C1
1
árnyalat
B2
Usage pattern:
a nuance; nuances of [something]; a nuance in/between [things]
The translator preserved the nuances of the original poem.
A fordító megőrizte az eredeti vers árnyalatait.
There is an important nuance in the wording of the agreement.
Van egy fontos árnyalat a megállapodás szövegezésében.
She can hear tiny nuances in the singer’s voice.
Learner examples
I did not understand the nuance of his joke.
Nem értettem a vicce árnyalatát.
This word has a different nuance in French.
Ennek a szónak a franciában más árnyalata van.
Common mistake:
Do not use “nuance” for a large or obvious difference; it usually means a small, subtle one.
Meaning
subtle difference or detail
Collocations
subtle nuance
|important nuance
|small nuance
|cultural nuance
|linguistic nuance
|emotional nuance
|the nuances of language
|understand the nuances
|capture the nuances
|miss a nuance
Synonyms
subtlety (Often emphasizes something delicate or not obvious.)
|
shade (Often used for slight differences in meaning, color, or opinion.)
|
fine distinction (More explicit and analytical; often used in discussion or argument.)
Antonyms
obvious difference (Refers to a difference that is easy to see, not subtle.)
|
generalization (Suggests broad simplification rather than careful detail.)
Themes
communication
|language
|art
|perception
Definition
a small difference or detail that is not always easy to notice
A small, subtle difference or detail in meaning, feeling, sound, color, appearance, or situation.
NOUN
C1
2
árnyaltság
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] has nuance; [something] lacks nuance; bring nuance to [something]
The article raises good points, but it lacks nuance.
A cikk jó szempontokat vet fel, de hiányzik belőle az árnyaltság.
Her speech brought nuance to a debate that had become very polarized.
A beszéde árnyaltságot vitt egy olyan vitába, amely nagyon polarizálttá vált.
The film treats its villain with surprising nuance.
Learner examples
This topic needs more nuance.
Ez a téma több árnyaltságot igényel.
His answer was clear, but it had little nuance.
A válasza világos volt, de kevés árnyaltság volt benne.
Common mistake:
In this use, “nuance” is often uncountable: say “The discussion needs more nuance,” not “needs more nuances” when you mean more balanced complexity.
Meaning
subtle complexity in judgment
Collocations
lack nuance
|add nuance
|bring nuance
|more nuance
|little nuance
|political nuance
|moral nuance
|historical nuance
|nuance and complexity
|a nuanced discussion
Synonyms
subtlety (Similar, but can refer more generally to delicate or indirect handling.)
|
complexity (Emphasizes many interacting parts rather than fine distinctions.)
|
sophistication (Suggests a more advanced or refined understanding.)
Antonyms
oversimplification (Treats a complex subject as too simple.)
|
black-and-white thinking (Ignores middle positions or subtle differences.)
|
crudeness (Suggests rough, unsubtle treatment.)
Themes
communication
|ideas
|argument
|media
|politics
Definition
careful attention to the fact that something is not simple
Subtle detail, balance, or complexity in the way an issue, argument, person, or situation is understood or presented.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
árnyal
C1
Usage pattern:
nuance [something]; nuance [something] with/by [something]
The new evidence nuances our understanding of the case.
Az új bizonyíték árnyalja az ügy megértését.
She nuanced her criticism by acknowledging the team’s limited budget.
Úgy árnyalta a kritikáját, hogy elismerte a csapat korlátozott költségvetését.
The report nuances the usual story about economic growth.
Learner examples
The teacher nuanced the answer with more detail.
A tanár több részlettel árnyalta a választ.
Common mistake:
The verb “nuance” is much less common than the noun and can sound formal; in everyday English, “add nuance to” is often more natural.
Meaning
make more subtly detailed
Collocations
nuance an argument
|nuance a claim
|nuance a position
|nuance an explanation
|nuance the debate
|carefully nuanced
|highly nuanced
|nuanced by context
Synonyms
qualify (Often means to limit or make a statement less absolute.)
|
refine (Emphasizes improving precision or sophistication.)
|
complicate (Emphasizes adding factors that make something less simple.)
Antonyms
oversimplify (Removes or ignores subtle details.)
|
generalize (Makes a broad statement rather than a carefully detailed one.)
Themes
communication
|writing
|argument
|ideas
Definition
to add small but important details that make an idea more accurate
To make something more subtle, detailed, or carefully qualified, especially an idea, argument, explanation, or description.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nuance
IPA
GB/nˈuɑns/
US/nˈuɑns/
Syllables & stress
nu - ance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (nu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nuance
- Plural: nuance, nuances
Verb
- Base: nuance
- 3rd Person Singular: nuances
- Present Participle: nuancing
- Past: nuanced
Expressions
add nuance to
1/ˈæd nˈuɑns tə/
fixed phrase
make more balanced
to add details that make something less simple and more accurate
Examples
- The interview added nuance to the public’s understanding of the scandal.
- Recent research adds nuance to the idea that screen time is always harmful.
- Her personal story added nuance to the policy debate.
Learner examples
- The example adds nuance to the explanation.
lack nuance
1/lˈæk nˈuɑns/
fixed phrase
be too simplistic
to be too simple about a complex subject
Examples
- The headline was catchy, but it lacked nuance.
- His argument lacks nuance because it ignores the economic context.
- Many readers felt the documentary lacked nuance in its portrayal of the community.
Learner examples
- Her answer was correct, but it lacked nuance.
miss the nuance
1/mˈɪs ðə nˈuɑns/
fixed phrase
fail to notice subtlety
to not notice a small but important meaning or difference
Examples
- If you read only the summary, you may miss the nuance of the author’s argument.
- The subtitles are accurate, but they miss the nuance of the original dialogue.
- He took her comment as an insult and missed the nuance in her tone.
Learner examples
- I missed the nuance of the joke.
with nuance
1/wˈɪθ nˈuɑns/
fixed phrase
in a balanced way
in a careful way that shows something is complex
Examples
- The book handles the topic with nuance and compassion.
- We need to discuss immigration with nuance, not slogans.
- The actor played the character with nuance.
Learner examples
- The teacher explained the problem with nuance.