difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze; "his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change"; "a subtle difference"; "that elusive thing the soul"
subtle
How to use subtle in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for subtle.
Editorial note
It was subtle, but quite funny at the same time.
Quick take
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze; "his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change"; "a subtle difference"; "that elusive thing the soul"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of subtle gathered in one view.
able to make fine distinctions; "a subtle mind"
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way; "glaucoma is an insidious disease"; "a subtle poison"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for subtle.
adjective
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze; "his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change"; "a subtle difference"; "that elusive thing the soul"
See also: elusive
adjective
able to make fine distinctions; "a subtle mind"
adjective
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way; "glaucoma is an insidious disease"; "a subtle poison"
See also: insidious, pernicious
Example sentences
It was subtle, but quite funny at the same time.
So if he doesn't, surely it's a subtle way of him saying, "You aren't worth it.
This turns on a subtle point, but it's very important: I wore them for me, not for anyone else.
We're either all crazy, or this is tickling a subtle scheduling bug in the kernel.
As I was scrolling through I started to notice a really nice, subtle star background pattern that wasn't moving.
Now you can just astroturf on Reddit or Twitter, or edit Wikipedia is subtle ways, and have the same effect.
It is at once simple and subtle and it covers a lot of nuanced legal technicalities that must have required some pretty careful thought to get right.
After all, no one who calls themselves reasonable can be opposed to national security!It's subtle, and of course debatable.
I'm talking about more subtle stuff, like who a woman smiles at, who she initiates conversations with, and what her body language is toward various people.
Wonderful for the fact that with just five ingredients, it created subtle, delicious flavors and enjoyable textures.
I'm talking about the subtle fact that, among groups of people, women have the capability to exert a disproportionate influence on the status ordering.
It's always relatively subtle; they strive to only do what they can get away with...but it's always pushing the line, and is never based on trying to do what's right, merely avoiding backlash.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use subtle in a sentence?
It was subtle, but quite funny at the same time.
What does subtle mean?
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze; "his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change"; "a subtle difference"; "that elusive thing the soul"
What part of speech is subtle?
subtle is commonly used as adjective.