noun
subtlety
SUHTL-tee
Subtlety (noun) means the quality of being delicate, faint, or not obvious. Example: “The subtlety of the joke meant half the audience missed it.”
noun
1
The quality of being delicate, faint, or not obvious.
"The subtlety of the joke meant half the audience missed it."
2
A fine or precise detail, especially one that is easy to overlook.
"Learning a language means picking up the subtleties of tone as well as grammar."
"He appreciated the subtleties of the wine that a novice would miss."
How to use subtlety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fine, delicate quality or detail that takes attention to notice.
Common pairings
subtlety and nuance
lack subtlety
appreciate the subtlety
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Word forms
- Plural
- subtleties
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the joke meant half the audience missed it.
Etymology
From Old French sutilté, from Latin subtilitas, from subtilis ("subtle").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for subtlety
See all rhymes for subtlety →Frequently asked questions
What does “subtlety” mean?
The word “subtlety” means the quality of being delicate, faint, or not obvious. In plain terms, a fine, delicate quality or detail that takes attention to notice.
How do you pronounce “subtlety”?
“Subtlety” is pronounced SUHTL-tee (/ˈsʌt(ə)lti/ in IPA).
How do you use “subtlety” in a sentence?
Here is “subtlety” used in a sentence: “The subtlety of the joke meant half the audience missed it.”
What part of speech is “subtlety”?
“Subtlety” is a noun.
Where does the word “subtlety” come from?
The word “subtlety” comes from Latin. From Old French sutilté, from Latin subtilitas, from subtilis ("subtle").
How many meanings does “subtlety” have?
“Subtlety” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being delicate, faint, or not obvious.
