Word forms: comparative subtler, superlative subtlest
1. adjective
Something that is subtle is not immediately obvious or noticeable.
...the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things.
Intolerance can take subtler forms too.
subtlyadverb
The truth is subtly different.
We change subtly all the time.
2. adjective
A subtle person cleverly uses indirect methods to achieve something.
I even began to exploit him in subtle ways.
He is a subtle character, you know.
Synonyms: crafty, cunning, sly, designing More Synonyms of subtle
subtlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
What I've tried very subtly to do is to reclaim language.
3. adjective
Subtle smells, tastes, sounds, or colours are pleasantly complex and delicate.
...subtle shades of brown.
...delightfully subtle scents.
...whole aubergines in a very subtle sauce.
Synonyms: muted, soft, faint, subdued More Synonyms of subtle
subtlyadverb
...a white sofa teamed with subtly coloured rugs.
More Synonyms of subtle
subtle in British English
(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
subtleness (ˈsubtleness)
noun
subtly (ˈsubtly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Old French soutil, from Latin subtīlis finely woven
subtle in American English
(ˈsʌtəl)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈsubtler (ˈsʌtlər; ˈsʌtələr) or ˈsubtlest
1.
thin; rare; tenuous; not dense or heavy
a subtle gas
2.
a.
capable of making or noticing fine distinctions in meaning, etc.
a subtle thinker
b.
marked by or requiring mental keenness
subtle reasoning
3.
delicately skillful or clever; deft or ingenious
a subtle filigree
4.
not open or direct; crafty; sly
5.
delicately suggestive; not grossly obvious
a subtle hint
6.
working insidiously; not easily detected
a subtle poison
Derived forms
subtleness (ˈsubtleness)
noun
subtly (ˈsubtly)
adverb
Word origin
ME sotil < OFr soutil < L subtilis, fine, thin, precise, orig., closely woven < sub- (see sub-) + tela, web < *texla < texere, to weave: see technic
Examples of 'subtle' in a sentence
subtle
This masks the often subtle tactical battles that are taking place behind the bow waves.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet through its very simplicity it pulls off something incredibly subtle.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is a subtle but crucial distinction between separation and isolation.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We can sense minute and subtle changes in the cultural ambience of rooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The wild flowers are often too subtle.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What disturbs me more is something subtler but more pernicious.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The distinction is subtle but worth preserving.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is mainly due to the subtle change in the weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The changes to gameplay are often too subtle to notice in less than ten hours.
The Sun (2013)
What at first seemed simple is gradually transformed into something subtle and eerie and strange.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The history of physics is one of increasingly subtle and refined measurement made by increasingly ingenious and indirect means.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The argument is a subtle one, but worth exploring.
Dylan Evans PLACEBO: The Belief Effect (2003)
But the creamy formula is kind to skin, with a subtle scent.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Her argument is subtle, and many parts are commendable.
Christianity Today (2000)
The sheer, subtle shade brings a feminine flush to the face.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Don't forget liner to really define those eyes in either a contrasting or subtle complementary shade.
The Sun (2009)
Rather, it is all part of a slow and subtle revolution in the mentality of owners and riders.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But the new working class of former rural folk did not make the transition to industrial wage labor easily or without protesting in subtle and indirect ways.
Divine, Robert A. (editor) & Breen, T. H & Frederickson, George M & Williams, R. Hal America Past and Present (1995)
Subtle and slow, it offers some of the year's best cinematography.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Subtle, indirect and softly spoken, these small stories spread a large chill.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The lavender gives off a subtle scent rather than flavour and, paired with the sharpness of the lemon, is divine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This skill with subtle argument is one of this Pope's great gifts and has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the visit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
subtle
British English: subtle /ˈsʌtl/ ADJECTIVE
Something subtle is not immediately obvious or noticeable.
...the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things.
American English: subtle
Arabic: دَقِيق
Brazilian Portuguese: sutil
Chinese: 微妙的
Croatian: suptilan
Czech: nepatrný
Danish: subtil
Dutch: subtiel
European Spanish: sutil
Finnish: hienovarainen
French: subtil
German: fein
Greek: ανεπαίσθητος
Italian: sottile
Japanese: 微妙な
Korean: 미묘한
Norwegian: subtil
Polish: subtelny
European Portuguese: subtil
Romanian: subtil
Russian: едва различимый
Latin American Spanish: sutil
Swedish: subtil
Thai: ซึ่งบอกเป็นนัยๆ
Turkish: belli belirsiz
Ukrainian: тонкий
Vietnamese: tinh vi
All related terms of 'subtle'
subtle hint
A hint is a suggestion about something that is made in an indirect way.
subtle change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
subtle nuance
A nuance is a small difference in sound, feeling, appearance, or meaning .
subtle signal
A signal is a gesture , sound, or action which is intended to give a particular message to the person who sees or hears it.
subtle flavour
The flavour of a food or drink is its taste.
subtle variation
A variation is a change or slight difference in a level, amount, or quantity.
Chinese translation of 'subtle'
subtle
(ˈsʌtl)
adj
[change, difference]细(細)微的 (xìwēi de)
[smell, sound, etc]隐(隱)约(約)的 (yǐnyuē de)
[scent]淡雅的 (dànyǎ de)
(= indirect)[person]敏锐(銳)的 (mǐnruì de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a colour, taste, or smell) delicate or faint
a subtle hint
Synonyms
faint
She made a faint attempt at a laugh.
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
implied
She felt undermined by the implied criticism.
delicate
indirect
Her remarks amounted to an indirect appeal for aid.
understated
insinuated
Opposites
blatant
,
obvious
2 (adjective)
Definition
using shrewd and indirect methods to achieve an objective
He is a subtle character, you know.
Synonyms
crafty
That crafty old devil had taken us all for a ride.
cunning
He's a cunning, devious, good-for-nothing so-and-so.
sly
He is devious, sly and manipulative.
designing
the wily cunning of a designing hypocrite
scheming
a cold, scheming villain
intriguing
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
ingenious
a truly ingenious invention
astute
He made a series of astute business decisions.
devious
She tracked down the other woman by devious means.
wily
He is an experienced and wily old statesman.
artful
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
Machiavellian
the Machiavellian and devious way decisions were made
Opposites
straightforward
,
blunt
,
downright
,
artless
,
guileless
,
direct
,
simple
,
obvious
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of a colour, taste, or smell) delicate or faint
subtle shades of brown
Synonyms
muted
He likes sober muted colours.
soft
When he woke again he could hear soft music.
She spoke in a soft whisper.
faint
He became aware of the soft, faint sounds of water dripping.
subdued
The lighting was subdued.
low-key
The wedding will be a very low-key affair.
toned down
4 (adjective)
Definition
having or requiring the ability to make fine distinctions
There was, however, a subtle distinction between the two lawsuits.
Synonyms
fine
She has a fine eye for detail.
minute
Only a minute amount is needed.
narrow
She arranged the flowers in a vase with a narrow neck.
tenuous
She was holding onto life by a tenuous thread.
hair-splitting
delicate
The colours are delicate and tasteful.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of artful
Definition
cunning
the smiles and artifices of someone subtly artful
Synonyms
cunning,
designing,
scheming,
sharp,
smart,
clever,
subtle,
intriguing,
tricky,
shrewd,
sly,
wily,
politic,
crafty,
foxy,
deceitful
in the sense of astute
Definition
quick to notice or understand
He made a series of astute business decisions.
Synonyms
intelligent,
politic,
bright,
sharp,
keen,
calculating,
clever,
subtle,
penetrating,
knowing,
shrewd,
cunning,
discerning,
sly,
on the ball (informal),
canny,
perceptive,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
insightful,
foxy,
adroit,
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of cunning
Definition
clever at deceiving
He's a cunning, devious, good-for-nothing so-and-so.
Synonyms
crafty,
knowing,
sly,
devious,
artful,
sharp,
subtle,
tricky,
shrewd,
astute,
canny,
wily,
Machiavellian,
shifty (informal),
foxy,
guileful
Synonyms of 'subtle'
subtle
Explore 'subtle' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of delicate
Definition
(of colour, smell, or taste) pleasantly subtle
The colours are delicate and tasteful.
Synonyms
subtle,
fine,
nice,
soft,
delicious,
faint,
refined,
muted,
subdued,
pastel,
understated,
dainty
in the sense of designing
Definition
cunning and scheming
the wily cunning of a designing hypocrite
Synonyms
scheming,
plotting,
intriguing,
crooked (informal),
shrewd,
conspiring,
cunning,
sly,
astute,
treacherous,
unscrupulous,
devious,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
conniving,
Machiavellian,
deceitful
in the sense of devious
Definition
insincere and dishonest
She tracked down the other woman by devious means.
Synonyms
sly,
scheming,
calculating,
tricky,
crooked (informal),
indirect,
treacherous,
dishonest,
wily,
insidious,
evasive,
deceitful,
underhand,
insincere,
surreptitious,
double-dealing,
not straightforward
in the sense of hair-splitting
Definition
characterized by petty distinctions
Synonyms
fault-finding,
fine,
nice,
subtle,
carping,
niggling,
quibbling,
nit-picking (informal),
finicky,
cavilling,
pettifogging,
captious,
overrefined
in the sense of implied
Definition
hinted at or suggested
She felt undermined by the implied criticism.
Synonyms
suggested,
inherent,
indirect,
hinted at,
implicit,
unspoken,
tacit,
undeclared,
insinuated,
unstated,
unexpressed
in the sense of indirect
Definition
not coming straight to the point
Her remarks amounted to an indirect appeal for aid.
Synonyms
oblique,
implied,
roundabout,
backhanded,
evasive,
circuitous,
sidelong,
circumlocutory,
periphrastic
in the sense of ingenious
Definition
showing cleverness and originality
a truly ingenious invention
Synonyms
creative,
original,
brilliant,
clever,
masterly,
bright,
subtle,
fertile,
shrewd,
inventive,
skilful,
crafty,
resourceful,
adroit,
dexterous
in the sense of low-key
Definition
having a low intensity or tone
The wedding will be a very low-key affair.
Synonyms
subdued,
quiet,
restrained,
muted,
played down,
understated,
muffled,
toned down,
low-pitched
in the sense of Machiavellian
Definition
cleverly deceitful and unscrupulous
the Machiavellian and devious way decisions were made
Synonyms
scheming,
cynical,
shrewd,
cunning,
designing,
intriguing,
sly,
astute,
unscrupulous,
wily,
opportunist,
crafty,
artful,
amoral,
foxy,
deceitful,
underhand,
double-dealing,
perfidious (literary)
in the sense of minute
Definition
very small
Only a minute amount is needed.
Synonyms
small,
little,
tiny,
miniature,
slender,
fine,
microscopic,
diminutive,
minuscule,
infinitesimal,
teeny-weeny,
Lilliputian,
teensy-weensy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of narrow
Definition
small in breadth in comparison to length
She arranged the flowers in a vase with a narrow neck.
Synonyms
thin,
fine,
lean,
slight,
slim,
pinched,
slender,
tapered,
tapering,
attenuated
in the sense of scheming
a cold, scheming villain
Synonyms
calculating,
cunning,
sly,
designing,
tricky,
slippery,
wily,
artful,
conniving,
Machiavellian,
foxy,
deceitful,
underhand,
duplicitous
in the sense of shrewd
Definition
intelligent and making good judgments
She's a shrewd businesswoman.a shrewd guess
Synonyms
astute,
clever,
sharp,
knowing,
fly (slang),
keen,
acute,
smart,
calculated,
calculating,
intelligent,
discriminating,
cunning,
discerning,
sly,
canny,
perceptive,
wily,
crafty,
artful,
far-sighted,
far-seeing,
long-headed (rare),
perspicacious (formal),
sagacious (formal)
in the sense of slight
Definition
not very important or lacking in substance
It's only made a slight difference.
Synonyms
small,
minor,
insignificant,
negligible,
weak,
modest,
trivial,
superficial,
feeble,
trifling,
meagre,
unimportant,
paltry,
measly (informal),
insubstantial,
scanty,
inconsiderable
in the sense of sly
Definition
secretive and skilled at deception
He is devious, sly and manipulative.
Synonyms
cunning,
scheming,
devious,
secret,
clever,
subtle,
tricky,
covert,
astute,
wily,
insidious,
crafty,
artful,
furtive,
conniving,
Machiavellian,
shifty (informal),
foxy,
underhand,
stealthy,
guileful
in the sense of soft
Definition
(of music or sounds) quiet and pleasing
When he woke again he could hear soft music.She spoke in a soft whisper.