Subtle

Pronunciation: /sʌtəl/

Definitions of subtle

adjective not obvious or easily noticed; delicate or faint; clever and indirect

Example Sentences

A1 The color change on the chameleon was very subtle.

A2 She gave him a subtle hint about the surprise party.

B1 The artist used subtle brush strokes to create a realistic portrait.

B2 The difference between the two paintings was quite subtle, but noticeable to art enthusiasts.

C1 The subtle nuances of the novel's plot were appreciated by literary critics.

C2 Her subtle manipulation of the situation went unnoticed by most people.

Examples of subtle in a Sentence

formal The artist used subtle shades of blue to create a calming atmosphere in the painting.

informal I appreciate the subtle way you hinted at the surprise party without giving it away.

slang She dropped a subtle hint that she was not interested in going out with him.

figurative His subtle manipulation of the situation went unnoticed by most people.

Grammatical Forms of subtle

• past tense: subtled
• plural: subtles
• comparative: subtler
• superlative: subtlest
• present tense: subtle
• future tense: will subtle
• perfect tense: has subtled
• continuous tense: is subtiling
• singular: subtle
• positive degree: subtle
• infinitive: to subtle
• gerund: subtling
• participle: subtled

Origin and Evolution of subtle

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'subtle' originated from the Latin word 'subtilis', meaning 'fine, thin, delicate'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'subtle' evolved to also mean 'clever, indirect, not obvious', reflecting the nuanced and sophisticated nature of its original Latin meaning.