subtlety

[suht-l-tee]

noun

plural

subtleties 

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 Word Forms

• hypersubtlety noun
• nonsubtlety noun
• oversubtlety noun

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

While the film is an unabashed crowd-pleaser, the subtlety of Clooney's performance could put him in the awards conversation in the coming months, in a year where the best actor race is packed with A-listers.

From BBC

It’s funny because it’s not a broad stroke; they write in such subtleties.

From Los Angeles Times

“I planned all of it from the beginning,” she admits, relishing a discussion of some of the subtleties of the Clifton family dynamics that add depth to the novel.

From Los Angeles Times

These were often backed by threats of varying subtlety.

From Salon

She sings it quietly, like an apology, with a subtlety that wasn't always present on her debut album, Snow Angel.

From BBC

Related Words

• elegance 
• intricacy