subtle

The definition of something that is subtle is an indirect or very small distinction when comparing two things or ideas.

(adjective)

An example of subtle is adding a new spice to a recipe resulting in a very small change in the dish’s flavor.

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See subtle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective subtler , subtlest

  1. thin; rare; tenuous; not dense or heavy: a subtle gas
    1. capable of making or noticing fine distinctions in meaning, etc.: a subtle thinker
    2. marked by or requiring mental keenness: subtle reasoning
  2. delicately skillful or clever; deft or ingenious: a subtle filigree
  3. not open or direct; crafty; sly
  4. delicately suggestive; not grossly obvious: a subtle hint
  5. working insidiously; not easily detected: a subtle poison

Origin: ME sotil < OFr soutil < L subtilis, fine, thin, precise, orig., closely woven < sub- (see sub-) + tela, web < *texla < texere, to weave: see technic

Related Forms:

See subtle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective sub·tler, sub·tlest
  1. a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle smile.
    b. Difficult to understand; abstruse: an argument whose subtle point was lost on her opponent.
  2. Able to make fine distinctions: a subtle mind.
  3. a. Characterized by skill or ingenuity; clever.
    b. Crafty or sly; devious.
    c. Operating in a hidden, usually injurious way; insidious: a subtle poison.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sotil

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin subtīlis; see teks- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • subˈtle·ness noun
  • subˈtly adverb

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