Nuance – Meaning & Definition, History & Exercise – Word Of The Day For IELTS

Nuance – Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Nuance: (Noun) /ˈnuːɑːns/

Meaning & Definition

A slight variation, a subtle distinction, or a delicate quality that differentiates something from others.

Noun Form – Nuance

As a noun, ‘nuance’ refers to a subtle difference in meaning, expression, or understanding. It highlights the fine points that might not be immediately apparent but are crucial for a comprehensive grasp of a subject. ‘Nuance’ can be found in various contexts, such as literature, art, language, music, and interpersonal interactions.

Use Cases of the Noun ‘Nuance’

• Language and Communication: Understanding cultural nuances and subtle language variations is essential for effective cross-cultural communication.

Example: Learning the nuances of idioms and gestures in different countries can prevent misunderstandings during international business negotiations.

• Art and Literature: Writers and artists often use nuances to add depth and complexity to their creations.

Example: In his poetry, the poet masterfully weaves nuances of emotions, capturing the subtle shades of human experiences.

• Legal and Ethical Discussions: Lawyers and ethicists often scrutinize the nuances of legal texts to interpret their implications accurately.

Example: The attorneys analyzed the contract’s nuanced language to determine the parties’ responsibilities in the dispute.

Verb Form – Nuance

As a verb, ‘nuance’ means to add subtle distinctions or variations to something to give it depth or precision. When we nuance our statements, we are incorporating delicate details to ensure a clearer and more accurate portrayal of our thoughts.

Use Cases of the Verb ‘Nuance’

• Public Speaking: Effective speakers often nuance their speeches to address the concerns of diverse audiences.

Example: The politician carefully nuanced her speech to appeal to both urban and rural voters.

• Creative Writing: Writers nuance their narratives with intricate details to engage readers on multiple levels.

Example: The author masterfully nuanced her characters’ personalities, making them relatable and multi-dimensional.

• Film and Photography: Filmmakers and photographers use lighting and angles to nuance scenes and evoke specific emotions.

Example: The director skillfully nuanced the climactic scene, using lighting to create a mood of tension and suspense.

Misspellings 

While ‘nuance’ is a straightforward word to spell, it is sometimes misspelled as “nuance,” “nuence,” “naunces,” “neuances,” or “newance.”

History

The word ‘nuance’ originated from the French word “nuer,” meaning “to shade” or “to tint.” The term was first introduced into the English language in the late 18th century, and its usage gradually evolved to its current form.

Example

For IELTS Speaking:

“These additional flavor layers offer greater opportunities to marry the dish with the subtle nuances of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.”

“Scientists now understand the subtle nuances of its genetic machinery.”

For IELTS Writing:

“Scientists now understand the subtle nuances of its genetic machinery.”

Exercise

Choose the following words to fill in the blank: 

• In October of 1968, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson ordered the total _______________ of American bombing of North Vietnam.

• The latest safety _______________ makes this Volvo the best family car available today.

• American military personnel are staging various terrorist _______________ in order to better prepare for possible future attacks.

• The amount of _______________ on the radio depends on how strong the signal is.

• Driving a car is not _______________ dangerous even though thousands of people die in accidents each year.

• The union has been unable to reach a settlement with the administration and has asked for the services of a well-known _______________.

• Beauty was communication, each mote of light shaded with one _________ of meaning and each meaning had a color.

• Schools are organized like factories, and the educational process is _______________ to commodity production.

• Despite his years of _______________ in a prisoner-of-war camp, the old man always had a positive view of life.

• If you want to make a darkroom for developing your photos, you’ll need to put _______________ sheets of black paper on the window so that absolutely no light gets through.

Answer keys:

1. cessation
2. refinements
3. scenarios
4. distortion
5. inherently.
6. mediator.
7. nuance.
8. analogous.
9. confinement.
10. overlapping.

Check out Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking & Writing on the IELTS Material website to improve your vocabulary for IELTS and get a high score in IELTS.

Join our Master Program to get better at using words and phrases!