First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
subtle
adjective sub·tle \ˈsə-təl\
: hard to notice or see : not obvious
: clever and indirect : not showing your real purpose
: having or showing skill at recognizing and understanding things that are not obvious
sub·tler \ˈsət-lər, ˈsə-təl-ər\ sub·tlest \ˈsət-ləst, ˈsə-təl-əst\
Full Definition of SUBTLE
1
2
a : perceptive, refined <a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense> b : having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly <a subtle scholar>
5
: operating insidiously <subtle poisons>
— sub·tle·ness \ˈsə-təl-nəs\ noun
— sub·tly \ˈsət-lē, ˈsə-təl-(l)ē\ adverb
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Examples of SUBTLE
- Although artists and patrons in Venice still sought images of ideal figures, they insisted that this imagery be rooted in a more subtle and insightful interpretation of human life and character. —Andrew Butterfield, New York Review of Books, 16 July 2009
- These days, some of the most exciting cooking with brown rice is taking place in Japan, where purveyors are beginning to embrace the subtle variations that can be achieved through custom-milling and cooks are repurposing traditional techniques and dishes to accommodate the food's flavors and textures. —Karen Shimizu, Saveur, May 2008
- The language of the face communicates maximum information through the subtlest inflections. The interfaces of our souls are designed to be read in a heartbeat. —Steve Silberman, Wired, May 2003
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Origin of SUBTLE
Middle English sotil, subtile, from Anglo-French, from Latin subtilis, literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to weave — more at technical
Related to SUBTLE
SUBTLEST Defined for Kids
subtle
adjective sub·tle \ˈsə-təl\
sub·tler \ˈsət-lər\sub·tlest \ˈsət-ləst\
Definition of SUBTLE for Kids
1
: difficult to perceive <There was a subtle change in Miss Lavendar's voice. — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea>
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