subtle
Use Subtle in a sentence
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.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English sotil < Old French < Latin subtīlis subtile (b of modern spelling < L)
1250–1300; Middle English sotil < Old French < Latin subtīlis subtile (b of modern spelling < L)
Related forms
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
non·sub·t·ly, adverb
o·ver·sub·tle, adjective
o·ver·sub·tly, adverb
pseu·do·sub·tle, adjective
pseu·do·sub·t·ly, adverb
un·sub·tle, adjective
un·sub·tle·ness, noun
un·sub·t·ly, adverb
Synonyms
6. sly, tricky, foxy, slick.
6. sly, tricky, foxy, slick.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To subtle
00:10
Subtle
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
subtle (ˈsʌtəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 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 |
| [C14: from Old French soutil, from Latin subtīlis finely woven] | |
| 'subtleness | |
| —n | |
| 'subtly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
subtle
c.1300, sutel, soutil, in ref. to things, "of thin consistency;" in ref. to craftsmen, "skilled, clever," from O.Fr. soutil, from L. subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven," from sub "under" + -tilis, from tela "web" and texere "to weave" (see texture). The spelling
with -b- reflects confusion with subtile. Most non-material senses were present by late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
They orbit in a perpetual deep freeze until some subtle gravitational nudge upsets the delicate balance.
She was always full with mystery and subtle movements and denials and vague distrusts and complicated disillusions.
Others, such as patience and a sense of fairness, are more subtle.
The synth tones it emits are huge and juicy, and about as subtle as a bear.
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