subtle
SUHTL
Subtle (adjective) means So slight or delicate that it is barely noticeable. Example: “There was a subtle change in her voice when she mentioned the news.”
adjective
1
So slight or delicate that it is barely noticeable.
"There was a subtle change in her voice when she mentioned the news."
"There was a subtle hint of vanilla in the coffee."
"She gave him a subtle nod so no one else would notice."
2
Requiring careful thought to notice or understand; not obvious.
"The difference between the two shades of blue is subtle and easy to miss."
"Her joke carried a subtle meaning that only a few people understood."
"The novel makes a subtle argument about memory and guilt."
3
Skilled at noticing fine details or handling delicate situations tactfully.
"He was a subtle negotiator who always found a tactful way forward."
"Only a subtle observer would have spotted the tiny mistake in the painting."
"A subtle diplomat, she smoothed over the disagreement without anyone losing face."
How to use subtle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFaint, delicate, or not obvious — something you might miss if you're not paying close attention.
Common mistake
The "b" is silent: it's pronounced "SUT-l," not "SUB-tl."
Common pairings
subtle difference
subtle hint
subtle change
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- subtles
- Past tense
- subtled
- Comparative
- subtler, more subtle
- Superlative
- subtlest, most subtle
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a _____ change in her voice when she mentioned the news.
Etymology
From Middle English subtil, borrowed via Old French from Latin subtilis ("fine, delicate, precise"), from sub- ("under") plus tela ("web, weave"). The modern spelling with a "b" comes from imitating the Latin, though the letter was never actually pronounced.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “subtle” mean?
The word “subtle” means so slight or delicate that it is barely noticeable. In plain terms, faint, delicate, or not obvious — something you might miss if you're not paying close attention.
How do you pronounce “subtle”?
“Subtle” is pronounced SUHTL (/ˈsʌtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “subtle” in a sentence?
Here is “subtle” used in a sentence: “There was a subtle hint of vanilla in the coffee.”
What is another word for “subtle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “subtle” include tricky, nice, delicate and knotty.
What is the opposite of “subtle”?
The opposite of “subtle” — its antonyms — are manifest, obvious and simple.
What part of speech is “subtle”?
“Subtle” is an adjective.
Where does the word “subtle” come from?
The word “subtle” comes from Latin.
Is “subtle” a common word?
“Subtle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "subtle" and "slight"?
Both describe something small in degree, but "subtle" adds the idea that careful attention is needed to notice it, as in a subtle change of tone. "Slight" is purely about size or degree and carries no suggestion that the thing is hard to detect.
Why is the "b" in "subtle" silent?
The "b" in "subtle" is never pronounced; the word sounds like "SUT-ul". English spelling kept the "b" to reflect the word's Latin root, subtilis, which is also why related forms such as "subtlety" and "subtly" keep the silent letter.
What is a subtle hint?
A subtle hint is a suggestion made so indirectly that it is barely noticeable and takes some thought to pick up. It is the opposite of an open request: the speaker implies what they want rather than stating it outright.
