subtlesub‧tle /ˈsʌtl/ ●●○ adjective (comparative subtler or more subtle, superlative subtlest) 
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them. The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored. a subtle form of racismsubtle taste/flavour/smell etc The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.2behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do: I think we need a more subtle approach. a subtle plansubtle about She wasn’t very subtle about it. She just said she didn’t love him anymore.3very clever in noticing and understanding things: a subtle mind—subtly adverb: a subtly different colour
WORD ORIGINsubtle
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French soutil, from Latin subtilis ‘finely woven, subtle’, from tela ‘something woven’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a subtle hint of almond
- It was around this time that I started to notice subtle changes in Clive's character.
- Linda was able to influence her superiors in subtle ways.
- She wasn't ever subtle in giving her opinion.
- Some of the more subtle forms of malnutrition are difficult to identify.
- The patterns look very similar, but there are subtle differences between them.
- We noticed some deterioration in her speech, but it was very subtle.
- But they were active, and clamorous, and in subtle and not so subtle ways they corrupted the intellectual atmosphere.
- Even the first version of Bacon is subtler than this summary suggests.
- However subtle we are forced to make our idea of science, nature remains an independent realm awaiting discovery.
- Instead it has a subtle onion flavor that makes it much more complex and interesting.
- It is often amazing how the most insignificant contributor to a project can foresee the subtlest problem and devise a solution.
- Look for their Hair Glistener - it leaves hair smelling irresistible and creates subtle, glittering highlights in your hair.
- More subtle pressures relating to meetings are already assumed to be inevitable.
- Very soon the research opened my mind to more subtle ideas.
Longman Language Activatornot obvious
a subtle change or difference is difficult to notice unless you look closely or think about it carefully: · The patterns look very similar, but there are subtle differences between them.· We noticed some deterioration in her speech, but it was very subtle.· It was around this time that I started to notice subtle changes in Clive's character.
something, especially an object, that is unobtrusive is not very noticeable, especially because it is small or ordinary compared to other things: · The aerial is small and unobtrusive, fitting closely to the chimney stack.· The researchers will make their observations in the most unobtrusive way possible.· Hart, who attended law school with Danforth, remembers him as "quiet and unobtrusive."
things or people that are inconspicuous are not noticeable because they look the same as the people or things around them: · Carpet cleaner should always be tested in an inconspicuous spot first.· The two bank robbers got in line at a nearby fast-food restaurant, hoping to be inconspicuous as police flooded the area.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a subtle form of racism The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES subtle nuances of meaning
1not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention OPP obvious: a subtle form of racism The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. The dish had a subtle hint of ginger. (=pleasant, not strong, and a little unusual)· Italian sweaters come in lovely subtle colours.
(=not obvious)· There’s a subtle difference in flavour between these coffees.
(=small)· Language enables us to make fine distinctions between similar ideas.
(=pleasant and not strong)· The wine should be served cold so that it doesn’t lose any of its delicate flavour.
(=one that is not very easy to understand – sometimes used ironically when someone is being very obvious)· I'm sick of her subtle hints that I'm not welcome here.
subtle nuances of meaning (=a change which is small and not easy to notice)· Recently there has been a subtle shift in public opinion about the environment.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· But there could be a less subtle explanation.· In the Mazurkas, however, Andsnes is less subtle or resilient than several more experienced Chopin pianists.
· This leads to the second, more subtle question: one of identity.· But more subtle problems remain-related to sexism, pure and simple.· But there was a more subtle purpose behind these proposals, fully vindicated by what subsequently happened.· In other families, these expressions are more subtle.· But the poems which he wrote are much more subtle than this obvious insult.· I think his real secret life was more innocent, and at the same time more subtle.· Other drugs work in slightly more subtle ways.· Sounds like the brain is more subtle.
· Expression has been lost with the injuries to Harry Kewell and Stephen McPhail, the most subtle passer in the squad.· Sensing with all his faculties, his most subtle emotions are aroused.· Now Benjamin and I were most subtle.
· Moreover, because the potentials have complex waveforms quite subtle analyses of the impact of experimental variables are possible.· We know from many studies that quite subtle changes in tasks can significantly alter their difficulty level.· The differences in composition are sometimes quite subtle so the technique must also be accurate and precise.· This makes the book again quite realistic, as the humour is quite subtle.· The nature of the intimidation was at first quite subtle.· The distinctions between the three cell types are quite subtle and may only be obvious after quite extensive testing.
· It was a movement so subtle that it seemed to occur from the corner of her eye.· But they were active, and clamorous, and in subtle and not so subtle ways they corrupted the intellectual atmosphere.· Yet she was itching to move to the metropolis and bombarded her parents with subtle and not so subtle requests.· Then, there was Jewel, one of those singers who is so subtle and so good at what she does.· The sense of hierarchy was so subtle as to be almost non-existent.· He would put some one together, build an Identity, a skein of persuasion and habit, ever so subtle.· The expectation is so subtle that it can be transmitted even when the experimenter conveys his instructions by means of a tape recording.· He was so subtle as to deceive even the quickest witted people.
· It acts as if it is looking after all our interests in ways too subtle and refined for us to understand.· I hope the message has not been too subtle.· Am I bein' too subtle for you?· The implications of love were too subtle for my understanding.· He wasn't too subtle but he was effective.· If anything, his trancey selection is a little too subtle.· But that reasoning was surely too subtle.· He spends as much time out of the house as possible, and what they do is too subtle for him to notice.
· Their show of power and manipulation of the world around them is, with some pride types, very subtle.· A dangerous question, because now you begin to notice the very subtle condescension.· I've never sat down and tried to figure all that shit out - it gets very subtle and very complicated.· Power is rarely overtly visible; it is often very subtle in its various expressions.· And so the Tortoise now began To hatch a very subtle plan.· Jones was very subtle about his use of sexuality to mislead his people.· It suddenly occurred to her that total disregard of her escapade was a very subtle punishment indeed.· The message, of course, was very subtle.
NOUN· This part of the subtle body can be photographed by a high voltage technique called Kirlian photography.· Another phenomenon related to the subtle body is the perception of disembodied entities.· Its subtle body shift has the power to nullify a forceful attack from an opponent.· Just as the blood is circulated through our physical body, so energy flows through and between the subtle bodies.
· From time to time a subtle change may be made to the details of the computation of the index.· Scores on behavioural catalogues may appear fickle from one context to another precisely because they are sensitive to subtle changes.· The cause was traced to a subtle change in assembly procedures.· We know from many studies that quite subtle changes in tasks can significantly alter their difficulty level.· But because of a subtle change in the structure of aldehyde dehydrogenase, this second detox step is blocked in some people.· It was mainly due to a subtle change in Francis.· The reason is not clear, but must be the result of some subtle change in the genetic information in the nucleus.
· Basically all the major schemes have the same rules, with a couple of subtle differences.· Newborn infants are also better at hearing subtle differences, compared with adults.· Other, more subtle differences show up in the symmetry properties of weak and electromagnetic interactions.· A child can not comprehend the subtle difference between illegal segregation in the South and racial imbalance in the North.· Each involves subtle differences in the investment strategy of the parties involved.· There is efficacy and grace in the process alone and the subtle differences come only with experience.· Perfect pitch is necessary for understanding the subtle differences between similar sounding words in these languages, she says.· It seemed to me this evening that there was a subtle difference about him.
· The definition of yeomen was complex, a matter of subtle distinctions.· Even in his haste he noted subtle distinctions of taste between cerebellum and cortex, between frontal lobes and limbic system.· In what follows, I shall play fast and loose with these words and the subtle distinctions between them.· We didn't have much time for subtle distinctions down in East Oxford.· There's a subtle distinction here.· In addition, all new publications are designed for creation on the system - a subtle distinction from being designed on the system.
· He teaches that essential oils can also be used to balance the subtle energy forces in the body similar to acupuncture.· In 1938 he postulated that leys and prehistoric sites marked a network of subtle energy and that this power could be detected.· They are of a similar subtle energy or material, just as our own bodies are.· They simply lack the subtle energy fields or mental configuration in which such an appreciation of physical reality can arise.
· Kikkoman Soy Sauce takes its pure and subtle flavour from the lengthy natural fermentation process.· Goujons of sole Here's a recipe to make the lovely, firm texture and subtle flavour of sole go a little further.· The latter are the hottest, the dried berries having a more subtle flavour.· Processed Caerphilly can be rather bland, but a traditional farmhouse variety has a delicious, if subtle flavour.· It gave the dish a very subtle flavour, that Port-Salut.
· Now the tobacco industry is going for the slightly more subtle form of advertising which is sponsorship.· Maybe it was a subtle form of retaliation.· In a somewhat more subtle form, these tendencies continue into later childhood.· One more subtle form of sexism contributes to lower salaries for women, Sullivan said.· More subtle forms of cultural influence also abound.· There are many more subtler forms of exerting pressure and discrimination.· Though her technique clearly derives from the modernists, it is adapted into a unique, subtle form of her own.· But how did such a subtle form of protection evolve?
· It can be anything from a rich and succulent casserole to a stir fry recipe with a subtle hint of the Orient.· He was apparently out of favor with the judges, some of whom had dropped subtle hints that Galindo should move on.· My subtle and not-so-subtle hints to the neighbor did not seem to produce results.· Pictorial representations of women can carry all kinds of subtle hints and messages, can indeed convey a whole world-view of meaning.· And, despite numerous subtle hints - like hiding his desk and computer - he still won't leave us alone.
· But there are more subtle nuances in that story.· These additional flavor layers offer greater opportunities to marry the dish with the subtle nuances of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.· Scientists now understand the subtle nuances of its genetic machinery.
· As with the Hebrew prophets, there were no greys, no subtle shades.· His ear is magnificent, capturing each subtle shade of accent and edge, each riff of language.· For a natural glow to your skin mix a subtle shade of blusher with loose powder.· The flowers are a subtle shade of pale green, rimmed in purple as the days go on.· Luckily it had short sleeves, and she knew that the subtle shade of pale aquamarine suited her colouring.· There are no hidden depths or subtle shades here.· Although most mosaics comprise three to six basic colours, a work of good quality will include many subtle shades.
· But some underlying patterning remains, despite the intervening years and the subtle shifts in values and beliefs.· There also was a subtle shift in defensive emphasis and a major one on offense that combined to save them from themselves.· This subtle shift has a great deal to do with the current fashion accessory of an eligible husband rather than an eligible boss.
· Push boundaries, take risks, and interweave unique colour schemes with subtle variations.· For exam-ple, an emergency or operating room is not the best environment for monitoring subtle variations in heartbeats.· Because she has caught the subtle variations of movement and behaviour within the general flow, the sculpture has life and drama.· By the l98Os the city had been divided into many different areas, each with its own subtle variations.· In my audio record of the dive, I run out of adjectives to describe the subtle variations in the lava morphologies.
· They ignored, too, the more subtle ways in which Tripoli set the terms of discussion.· Was the edge in her voice a subtle way of passing on her bitterness?· The cells in the embryo are initially much less specialized and differ from each other in more subtle ways.· But a small and growing body of research indicates that subordinates can and do influence their superiors in subtle ways.· As she sees you, and senses your interest, her posture changes in subtle ways.· But these more subtle ways of winning access have not entirely displaced the direct cash payment.· Even those who do not condemn democracy out of hand have often contrived more subtle ways of disparaging it.· And in virtually all societies that have a legislature, its members can exercise political power in many subtle ways.
· They ignored, too, the more subtle ways in which Tripoli set the terms of discussion.· But they were active, and clamorous, and in subtle and not so subtle ways they corrupted the intellectual atmosphere.· The cells in the embryo are initially much less specialized and differ from each other in more subtle ways.· But a small and growing body of research indicates that subordinates can and do influence their superiors in subtle ways.· As she sees you, and senses your interest, her posture changes in subtle ways.· But these more subtle ways of winning access have not entirely displaced the direct cash payment.· Even those who do not condemn democracy out of hand have often contrived more subtle ways of disparaging it.· And in virtually all societies that have a legislature, its members can exercise political power in many subtle ways.
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them. The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored. a subtle form of racismsubtle taste/flavour/smell etc The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle. The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.2behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do: I think we need a more subtle approach. a subtle plansubtle about She wasn’t very subtle about it. She just said she didn’t love him anymore.3very clever in noticing and understanding things: a subtle mind—subtly adverb: a subtly different colour- reconciliation
- recondite
- recondition
- reconnaissance
- reconnoitre
- reconsider
- reconsideration
- reconstitute
- reconstitution
- reconstruct
- Reconstruction
- reconstruction
- reconstructive
- reconvene
- record
- record-breaker
- record-breaking
- recorded delivery
- recorder
- record-holder
- recording
- record player
- recount
- recoup
- recourse