What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nuance
Example
The nuance of his argument was lost on most of the audience. [nuance: noun]
Example
She spoke with a nuance of sadness in her voice. [nuance: modifier]
distinction
Example
There is a distinction between being confident and being arrogant. [distinction: noun]
Example
He graduated with distinction from the university. [distinction: modifier]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distinction is more commonly used than nuance in everyday language. Distinction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nuance is less common and often used in more specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nuance and distinction?
Both nuance and distinction can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, nuance may be perceived as more sophisticated or academic, while distinction can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
