subtleadjective
uk/ˈsʌt.əl/us/ˈsʌt̬.əl/approvingC2 not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way:
The room was painted a subtle shade of pink.
The play's message is perhaps too subtle to be understood by young children.
small but important:
There is a subtle difference between these two plans.
C2 achieved in a quiet way that does not attract attention to itself and is therefore good or clever:
a subtle plan/suggestion
subtle questions
More examples
- I could detect subtle variances in fragrance as we strolled through the garden.
- Her conversation sparkled with her own subtle blend of wit and charm.
- The film's direction is subtle and stylish.
- The gradation in tempo in this piece of music is very subtle.
- The directors managed to secure a good deal for the company with a bit of subtle manoeuvring.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Indistinct & invisible
- blind
- blur
- blurred
- fuzzy
- inconspicuous
- indiscernible
- indistinct
- invisible
- melt
- melt (away) into sth
- neutral
- not see hide nor hair of sb idiom
- see
- sink without (a) trace idiom
- smudged
- subtlety
- unclear
- unobtrusive
- vague
- wraith
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Very important or urgent
Intelligence
subtly
adverb uk/ˈsʌt.əl.i/us/ˈsʌt̬.əl.i/
Examples
- His expression changed subtly.
- The lyrics have been subtly altered.
- He subtly implied that she hadn't been happy at work.
- Her appearance had changed, subtly but perceptibly.
- If you're more subtly sexy you're still noticed but in a different way.
This discovery had subtly changed/altered the way I thought about myself.