subtle

CEFRB2

/ˈsʌtl̩/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Not easy to notice or understand.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Senses relating to tangible things.

Examples

  • There are subtle differences between the two things.

  • There's a subtle difference in meaning between the two words.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈsʌɾɫ̩]
  • /ˈsʌtəl/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious; inconspicuous, unintrusive.

  2. Having a delicate or fine substance or texture; hence, exquisite, refined.

  3. Slender, thin.

More examples

In context

  • The difference between the tones is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.

  • The mighty Magnet from the Center darts / This ſtrong, tho' ſubtile Force, thro' all the Parts: / Its active Rays ejaculated thence, / Irradiate all the wide Circumference.

  • [T]his heauenly foode is giuen for the ſatisfying of our emptie ſoules, and not for the exerciſing of our curious and ſubtle vvits.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The chef added a blank hint of garlic that most diners could not detect.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

The adjective is derived from Middle English sotil, soubtil, subtil (“of a person, the mind, etc.: clever, ingenious, penetrating; cunning, sly; insidious; delicate, fine; not dense, light, thin; finely powdered; narrow, slender; etc.”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman sotel, subtil, sutil, Middle French soutil, subtil, sutil, and Old French sotil, soutil, subtil, sutil (“of an object: skilfully designed or made; delicate, fine; slender, thin; of an intangible thing: difficult to understand; of a person: discerning, shrewd; devious, sly; etc.”) (modern French subtil), from Latin subtīlis (“of texture: delicate, fine; slender, thin; accurate, keen; having fine judgment; etc.”), from sub (“below,...