ELI5: nuance

What is nuance?

Nuance means noticing small differences or subtle details that make something special. [2][4] It's like how two red crayons might look the same at first, but one is slightly brighter or darker than the other—that tiny difference is a nuance.

Why does it matter?

Nuance helps us understand that things aren't always simple or black-and-white. [2] When someone says "I liked the movie, but..." they're adding nuance because there's more to their opinion than just "good" or "bad."

How do you use it?

You use nuance when you pay attention to small details that change the meaning of something. [4] Instead of saying "all pizza is good," you might say "I like pepperoni pizza, but I prefer thin crust over thick crust"—that's showing nuance in your taste.

Why is it called that?

The word nuance comes from a French word meaning "shade," like how colors have different shades. [4] Just like shades of color are slightly different, nuances are slightly different meanings or variations.