subtle
276
6.0
- adjective
- /ˈsʌtəl/
:
sutil
- His subtle hint was lost on everyone in the room.
- subtle differences
- a subtle change
- a subtle way
I like to go for a subtle effect, So.
- I like to go for a subtle effect, So.
- Is that that little subtle fear that grows with time?
- Or they maybe do it in subtle ways, but they don't.
- Do you see it just gives this subtle gorgeous highlight.
- This is going to be a lighter, more subtle, airy look.
- It was that little just that little subtle shift in perspective.
- You change these peoples minds with like slow, subtle undercurrents of change.
- We need to be on guard against these more subtle tricks.
- That's actually like really subtle from some of the ones I've seen.
- So it's become slightly more subtle in terms of what we do.
- So there are actually subtle reasons behind this.
- Other info hazards, however, are much more subtle and better written.
Examples
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The artist used subtle colors to create depth in the painting.
-
The tax gap also has more subtle effects beyond these revenue losses.
Academic text (2017) -
But some of the effects are more subtle and more interesting.
-
So there are actually subtle reasons behind this.
-
We need to be on guard against these more subtle tricks.
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The United States is actively engaged in a dynamic yet subtle Common Core revolution.
Academic text (2012) -
The value of science is a lot more subtle, and it is monumental.
Academic text (2011) -
When we look further, we will find more subtle responses and deeper policy connections.
Academic text (1999) -
Effective school counselors have found subtle ways to support and counsel formal leaders.
Academic text (2008) -
She noticed the subtle change in his tone during the conversation.
Synonyms
148
2.7
Not easy for other people to notice
52
7.0
Hard to understand or describe, like the meaning of a symbol
20
6.6
Not easily seen or noticed
15
6.9
Not easy to see or notice
9
7.8
Very small or slight and hard to notice
7
4.2
Hard to see because it is very faint
2
4.6
Hard to see or notice
1
7.8
Hard to notice or understand at first
1
7.4
Not easy to see or understand without careful thinking
Not easy to see or notice
So small that people do not notice it
Antonyms
How Subtle
Surface Forms
Etymology
Subtle comes from the Latin subtilis, which meant 'fine' or 'thin like a thread'. Imagine a thread you can barely see — that is why subtle now means 'not obvious' or hard to notice.