Subtle

Pronunciation

• enPR: sÅ­t'(É™)l, IPA: /ˈsÊŒt(É™)l/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒtÉ™l

Alternative forms

• subtil (obsolete)
• subtile (obsolete)

Origin

From Middle English sotil, subtil, from Old French soutil, later subtil, French subtil, from Latin subtilis ("fine, thin, slender, delicate");

probably, originally, “woven fine”, and from sub ("under") + tela ("a web"), from texere ("to weave").

Full definition of subtle

Adjective

1. Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.The difference is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
2. (of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
3. (of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
4. insidious
• 1623, William Shakespeare, , act iv, scene 4,Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle, bloody, treacherous.
5. Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.

Synonyms

• (cunning, skillful) crafty, cunning, skillful
• (insidious) insidious

Antonyms

• (hard to grasp) simple

Derived terms

Anagrams

• bluest
• bluets
• bustle
• sublet