subtlety

[ suht-l-tee ]

noun

, plural sub·tle·ties.

1. the state or quality of being subtle.
2. delicacy or nicety of character or meaning.
3. acuteness or penetration of mind; delicacy of discrimination.
4. a fine-drawn distinction; refinement of reasoning:

   the subtleties of logic.

5. something subtle.
6. History/Historical. an elaborate confection, ornate in construction and ornamentation, sometimes edible but more often made and used as a decoration for a table or buffet.

subtlety

/ ˈsʌtəltɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being subtle; delicacy
2. a fine distinction or the ability to make such a distinction
3. something subtle

Other Words From

• hyper·subtle·ty noun
• non·subtle·ty noun plural nonsubtleties
• over·subtle·ty noun plural oversubtleties

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtlety¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English subtelte, sutilte, from Old French sutilte, from Latin subtīlitāt-, stem of subtīlitās “fineness,” equivalent to subtīli(s) “fine, slender” ( subtile ) + -ty ²

Example Sentences

Recent breakthroughs in deep learning have made it possible to replicate many of the subtleties of human speech.

From MIT Technology Review

This is a plus if you’re looking for subtlety, and an accessory you wear nearly 24 hours a day ought to look subtle.

From Popular-Science

One bemoaned the subtlety of the lime — “it’s so plain” — while another found the dearth of faux flavor made it the most bearable.

From Washington Post

The third time I just sat back and marveled at the sure hand of the director, the subtlety of Amy Adams, the ambition of the story structure.

From Washington Post

VR is being used in podcast production because it captures “subtleties, gestures and warmth” that are lost in distanced interaction, says Karolina Komarnicka, of The Leadership Network’s The Real Place podcast.

From Digiday

In his opulent maroon suit, Dickens flaunts his fame and fortune with so little subtlety he makes Kanye West appear modest.

From The Daily Beast

Political or not, shown in New York or Budapest, it is a worthy achievement composed with taste and subtlety.

From The Daily Beast

The violence was turned up to 11, but the message could still have been handled with more subtlety.

From The Daily Beast

But Nicki doesn't just tell us she has a big, fat, ass—that would lack craft and subtlety.

From The Daily Beast

Without context, subtlety, and commentary, a parody begins to look eerily like the scenario it is attempting to skewer.

From The Daily Beast

The apparent slightness of these English changes reveals their deliberate subtlety.

From Project Gutenberg

"Jack wants you to go for a walk," announced Miss Thangue, who saw no occasion for subtlety.

From Project Gutenberg

His quick-wittedness and the subtlety of his character make him full of quaint remarks and funny and unexpected comparisons.

From Project Gutenberg

This arrangement was not to Gwynne's taste, but he had developed subtlety in such matters and bided his time.

From Project Gutenberg

Accustomed to women of a more sophisticated class, Jean had at first taken her navet for the height of subtlety.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elegance
• intricacy