Skip to main content

subtleso delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsʌtl/

Korean meaning: 미묘한, 감지하기 어려운, 정교한

Korean pronunciation: 서틀 (강세: 서틀)

Example Sentences

  • My mom's subtle way of asking if I'm dating someone is showing me wedding magazines.
  • The teacher's subtle look told me I was talking too much in class.
  • There's a subtle art to eating ramen without making noise - I haven't mastered it yet.

subtle

ADJECTIVE

//ˈsʌtl//

so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe

subtle concept
💡 Concept

There was a subtle difference between the two paintings.

subtle mnemonic english
🧠 Mnemonic

The queen sent a subtle signal during the negotiation. (SMALL + HARD TO NOTICE = SUBTLE → subtle means present, but not obvious)

subtle rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

A subtle clue guides the shuttle through a hidden puzzle.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈsʌtl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈsʌtl/

🌳Etymology

Rootsubtil
Suffix--e

Origin

From Latin 'subtilis' meaning 'fine, thin, or delicate', derived from 'sub-' (under) and 'tela' (web or cloth), originally referring to something woven finely or thinly.

🎵Rhyme

shuttlescuttlerebuttal
shuttle
scuttle
rebuttal

🔗Collocations

subtle difference
subtle hint
subtle flavor
subtle change
subtle approach
subtle irony

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom's subtle way of asking if I'm dating someone is showing me wedding magazines.

The teacher's subtle look told me I was talking too much in class.

😄 Fun example

There's a subtle art to eating ramen without making noise - I haven't mastered it yet.

The subtle fragrance of jasmine filled the evening air.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

delicatefinenuancedunderstatedrefined

Antonyms

obviousblatantcrude

Related

subtletysubtlynuancerefinedsophisticated

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.