subtly

American  

[suht-l-lee, suht-lee] / ˈsʌt l li, ˈsʌt li /

adverb

1. 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.

2. in a way that shows or requires mental penetration or discernment.

   In the press, comment and analysis must be subtly distinguished from news.

3. 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.

4. in a wily or cunning way; craftily.

   Under the guise of journalistic objectivity, news programs subtly play on our emotions—chiefly on our fears.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsubtly adverb
• oversubtly adverb
• pseudosubtly adverb
• unsubtly adverb

Etymology

Origin of subtly

subt(le) ( def. ) + -ly

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."

Example Sentences

I kept accidentally catching Noah’s eye in the mirror, and through facial expressions, tried to communicate that I was having fun and in no way subtly judging his yoga practice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

A passing gravitational wave, however, would subtly change how that tone is heard depending on direction.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

That does lead me to question whether she’s perhaps trying to subtly convince him that he should change his mind.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Soon the whole crew begins to realize that everything is subtly different and that they are in danger, now hunted down by this world’s John Ward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

My stomach plummeted as she slowly approached my bed and sat next to me, subtly avoiding eye contact.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

• casually
• delicately
• easily
• faintly
• freely
• gingerly
• mildly
• moderately
• quietly
• simply
• slightly
• softly
• sparsely
• tenderly
• thinly