subtle

[ suht-l ]

adjective

, sub·tler, sub·tlest.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈsubtleness, noun
• ˈsubtly, adverb

Other Words From

• sub·tle·ness noun
• sub·tly adverb
• hy·per·sub·tle adjective
• hy·per·sub·tle·ness noun
• non·sub·tle adjective
• non·sub·tle·ness noun
• o·ver·sub·tle adjective
• pseu·do·sub·tle adjective
• un·sub·tle adjective
• un·sub·tle·ness 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

This allows them to learn essential skills, including caring for infants and cooking as well as hunting and gathering, through a process that is often subtle and nonverbal.

From Science Daily

Despite living in connected coastal waters, piangua populations in different areas maintain subtle genetic variations.

From Science Daily

There was also a bit of fitness news - and a definite subtle message to try to suggest issues from Erik ten Hag's tenure are now being addressed.

From BBC

Moreover, some subtle lesions of the knee joint may easily be overlooked by radiologists with insufficient experience.

From Science Daily

"We'll be able to give people much more subtle, effective control over their seizures while saving them from such an invasive surgery."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• complex
• detailed
• insidious
• intriguing
• precise
• shrewd
• skillful
• sly