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1. Dictionary

   subtle

   /ˈsʌtl/

   adjective

   • 1. (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe: "his language expresses rich and subtle meanings" Similar finefine-drawnultra-fineniceoverniceminuteprecisenarrowtenuoushair-splittingindistinctindefiniteelusiveabstruseinformal:minusculeOpposite crude
   • ▪ (of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated: "subtle lighting" Similar understatedlow-keymutedtoned downsubdueddelicatefaintpalesoftindistinctindefinitevaguewashed outOpposite luridobvious
   • ▪ capable of making fine distinctions: "a subtle mind" Similar astutekeenquickfineacutesharprazor-likerazor-sharprapier-likecannyshrewdawareperceptivediscerningsensitivediscriminatingpenetratingsagaciouswisecleverintelligentskilfulartfulsapientpercipientperspicaciousinformal:on the ballsavvyarchaic:politicOpposite slow-witted
   • ▪ arranged in an ingenious and elaborate way: "the German plan was simple yet subtle"
   • 2. making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something: "he tried a more subtle approach"
   • 3. crafty; cunning: archaic "the subtle fiend dissembled" Similar ingeniouscleverskilfuladroitcunningcraftywilyartfuldeviousOpposite crudeartless

   Word Origin Middle English (also in the sense ‘not easily understood’): from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis.

   Derivatives

   • 1. subtleness noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • S

     1

   • U

     1

   • B

     3

   • T

     1

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSUBTLE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Subtle means not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way, or small but important. Learn how to use subtle in sentences with different meanings and contexts.

   • English (US)

     SUBTLE meaning: 1. not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious...

   • Subtle: Arabic Translation

     SUBTLE translate: غَيْر واضِح. Learn more in the Cambridge...

   • Subtle Spanish Translation

     SUBTLE translate: sutil, sutil [masculine-feminine,...

   • Subtle: Russian Translation

     SUBTLE translate: тонкий, неуловимый , нежный, тонкий ,...

   • Znaczenie Subtle, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     subtle definicja: 1. not loud, bright, noticeable, or...

   • Portuguese Translation

     SUBTLE translate: sutil, delicado, suave, sutil, suave,...

   • Traditional

     SUBTLE translate: 隱約的;暗淡的;不易察覺的，不明顯的;微妙的, 細微的；細緻的,...

   • Simplified

     SUBTLE translate: 隐约的;暗淡的;不易察觉的，不明显的;微妙的, 细微的；细致的,...

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › subtleSubtle Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › subtle

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word subtle, which can describe something delicate, elusive, obscure, clever, or artful. Find out why subtle has a silent "b" and how to pronounce it correctly.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › subtleSUBTLE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › subtle

   • Cached

   characterized by mental acuteness or penetration: a subtle understanding. cunning, wily, or crafty: a subtle liar. Synonyms: slick, foxy, tricky, sly. insidious in operation: subtle poison. skillful, clever, or ingenious: a subtle painter.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › subtleSubtle - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › subtle

   Something that is subtle is not obvious: a professional food taster might be able to perceive subtle differences of flavor that most people don't notice. Subtle is used for things that are hard to describe because of their complexity or delicacy: a way of thinking, arguing, or creating a work of art.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSUBTLE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of subtle as an adjective, with synonyms, pronunciation, and usage examples. Subtle can describe something that is not obvious, delicate, clever, or cunning.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › subtleSubtle - definition of subtle by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › subtle

   • Cached

   Subtle means slight, difficult to detect, or fine in meaning or intent. It can also mean clever, cunning, or insidious. See synonyms, antonyms, translations, and usage examples of subtle.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › subtlesubtle adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › subtle

   • Cached

   Subtle means not very obvious or easy to notice, or clever and indirect. Learn how to use this adjective with pictures, pronunciation, synonyms and example sentences.