subtly
Americanadverb
-
in a way that is so fine or delicate as to be difficult to perceive.
The vegetables tasted subtly of the grill, but each still held its own unique flavor.
-
in a way that shows or requires mental penetration or discernment.
In the press, comment and analysis must be subtly distinguished from news.
-
in a way that shows highly refined skill; cleverly or ingeniously.
He has developed his own style of playing the whistle and subtly incorporates features that evoke other traditional instruments.
-
in a wily or cunning way; craftily.
Under the guise of journalistic objectivity, news programs subtly play on our emotions—chiefly on our fears.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subtly
Explanation
The adverb subtly describes something that's done in a delicate or understated way. You could subtly suggest to your best friend that a breath mint might taste good, rather than telling her straight out that she's got terrible breath. When you do something subtly, you do it quietly and indirectly — like subtly criticizing your mom's choice of beachwear. If you smile subtly, it's a small, mysterious, Mona Lisa-type smile rather than a wide, open one. There are two tricks to the word subtly: first, when you add the ly to the word subtle, the e gets dropped. Second, don't confuse subtly with subtlety, a noun meaning "the state of being subtle."
Vocabulary lists containing subtly
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
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Five Feet Apart
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also tried to subtly rebut concerns among those who had watched the debate and were appalled by Graham’s gaffe.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
A person's posture may subtly affect both emotional state and decision-making, according to new research from McGill University.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
Replace some of the water in your focaccia dough with olive brine and you’ll end up with bread that’s subtly seasoned from the inside out.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
Until recently, its crowning achievements were “shrinkflation,” where companies subtly reduce product sizes to raise unit prices, and “garbatrage,” when a takeover announcement sends shares of low-quality companies in the same industry higher.
From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026
Were we more subtly differentiated we must long since have gone mad, have deserted, or have fallen.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
