Subtle: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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subtle

 

[ หˆsสŒt(ษ™)l ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

description

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe. Making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something. Not immediately obvious; elusive.

Synonyms

delicate, elegant, nuanced, sophisticated, understated

Examples of usage

  • It was a subtle difference, but she could sense it.
  • He made a subtle joke about her new haircut.
  • The subtle hints in his speech went unnoticed by most people.
  • The artist used subtle shades of color to create a sense of depth in the painting.
  • The movie's humor was so subtle that many viewers didn't catch all the jokes.
Context #2 | Noun

art

A very slight difference or distinction. A subtle flavor or quality.

Synonyms

hint, nuance, shade, touch, trace

Examples of usage

  • The chef added a subtle touch of spice to the dish.
  • She noticed a subtle change in his attitude towards her.

Translations

Translations of the word "subtle" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น sutil

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ‚เค•เฅเคทเฅเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช subtil

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ halus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ะพะฝะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ subtelny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅพฎๅฆ™ใช (ใณใฟใ‚‡ใ†ใช)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท subtil

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sutil

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ince

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฏธ๋ฌ˜ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏู‚ูŠู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ jemnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ jemnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅพฎๅฆ™็š„ (wฤ“imiร o de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ neลพen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรญngerรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฑา›ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒœแƒแƒ–แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ incษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sutil

Etymology

The word 'subtle' comes from the Latin word 'subtilis', meaning fine or delicate. It has been used in English since the 14th century. Over time, 'subtle' has come to be associated with things that are understated, clever, or not immediately obvious. The term has evolved to describe a wide range of qualities, from flavors and scents to behaviors and hints.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,106 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.