subtle

[suht-l]

adjective

subtler, subtlest 

1. thin, tenuous, or rarefied, as a fluid or an odor.

2. fine or delicate in meaning or intent; difficult to perceive or understand.

   subtle irony.

3. delicate or faint and mysterious.

   a subtle smile.

4. requiring mental acuteness, penetration, or discernment.

   a subtle philosophy.

5. characterized by mental acuteness or penetration.

   a subtle understanding.

6. cunning, wily, or crafty.

   a subtle liar.

   Synonyms: slick, foxy, tricky, sly

7. insidious in operation.

   subtle poison.

8. skillful, clever, or ingenious.

   a subtle painter.

subtle

/ ˈsʌtəl /

adjective

1. not immediately obvious or comprehensible

2. difficult to detect or analyse, often through being delicate or highly refined

   a subtle scent

3. showing or making or capable of showing or making fine distinctions of meaning

4. marked by or requiring mental acuteness or ingenuity; discriminating

5. delicate or faint

   a subtle shade

6. cunning or wily

   a subtle rogue

7. operating or executed in secret

   a subtle intrigue

Other Word Forms

• subtleness noun
• subtly adverb
• hypersubtle adjective
• hypersubtleness noun
• nonsubtle adjective
• nonsubtleness noun
• oversubtle adjective
• pseudosubtle adjective
• unsubtle adjective
• unsubtleness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtle¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sotil, from Old French, from Latin subtīlis “subtile” (the b of modern spelling is from Latin ); subtile

Word History and Origins

Origin of subtle¹

C14: from Old French soutil, from Latin subtīlis finely woven

Example Sentences

But even if the installed grass meets international standards, the world’s top soccer professionals are able to detect subtle changes.

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You could call it jump-scare strategy, but it’s more subtle than that.

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Such awareness lends a subtle metafictional framework to the novel, a hint of cautionary skepticism about its releases into fantasy and brushes with exoticism.

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Go for a subtle reminder that long-term unemployment isn’t necessarily due to individual shortcomings.

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The cinched waist—the subtle negative drafts ahead of rear quarters—might as well have had whalebone stays.

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Related Words

• exquisite 
• faint 
• indirect 
• ingenious 
• profound 
• slight 
• sophisticated 
• understated