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

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Amid China’s crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, queer influencers are using creative strategies, subtle hashtags and coded language to stay one step ahead of social media censors and provide much-needed support to the community.

From Los Angeles Times

A subtle camera push heightens the alluring atmosphere that paints a portrait of quintessential Joker: juxtaposing beauty with anarchy.

From Los Angeles Times

Nik describes this possibility as a "very subtle but very insistent background noise".

From BBC

Worse, it is a subtle form of victim-blaming, as it implies that the targets of defamation can make it stop by responding with gentleness instead of anger.

From Salon

Organisers made a few subtle nods to the city: The stage was framed in the black and yellow stripes of Factory Records, and New Order's Blue Monday pumped through the speakers every time nominees were announced.

From BBC

Related Words

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