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subtle

adjective
sub·​tle | \ ˈsÉ™-tᵊl How to pronounce subtle (audio) \
subtler\ ˈsÉ™t-​lÉ™r How to pronounce subtler (audio) , ˈsÉ™-​tᵊl-​É™r \; subtlest\ ˈsÉ™t-​lÉ™st How to pronounce subtlest (audio) , ˈsÉ™-​tᵊl-​É™st \

Definition of subtle

1a : delicate, elusive a subtle fragrance
b : difficult to understand or perceive : obscure subtle differences in sound
2a : perceptive, refined a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense
b : having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly a subtle scholar
3a : highly skillful : expert a subtle craftsman
b : cunningly made or contrived : ingenious
4 : artful, crafty a subtle rogue
5 : operating insidiously subtle poisons
Other Words from subtle Synonyms & Antonyms Why is there a "b" in subtle? More Example Sentences Learn More about subtle

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Other Words from subtle

subtleness \ ˈsÉ™-​tᵊl-​nÉ™s How to pronounce subtleness (audio) \ noun
subtly \ ˈsÉ™t-​lÄ“ How to pronounce subtly (audio) , ˈsÉ™-​tᵊl-​(l)Ä“ \ adverb

Why is there a "b" in subtle?

If you know this word by sight, you might not know how to say it. And if you know it in conversation you might not know how to spell it.

For those of you in the first camp, we'll give you a hint: that "b" is subtle. So subtle, in fact, as to not be heard at all. It's a silent "b," like the "b" in thumb and debt. The word actually rhymes with shuttle.

And for those in the second camp: this is the word that sounds like it should be spelled "suttle."

So what is that pesky "b" doing there anyway? Is that sub at the beginning of the word related to the sub in submarine and subterranean?

Yes, it is. Subtle comes ultimately from a Latin pair: the prefix sub-, meaning "under," and tela, meaning "web." The two were joined in Latin subtilis, meaning "finely woven." The word was literal; it was originally a weaving term. But over time subtilis developed figurative uses, and was applied in many cases in which the word fine would work as well: to describe details, distinctions, and tastes, among other things.

When subtle came to first be used in Middle English its meaning was very much in this same lineage. It meant "perceptive, refined," and was used to describe people known for their clear thinking—such as philosophers—and things, such as analysis or reasoning, that demonstrated such thinking.

One more thing about the spelling of subtle: like many words that have been in the language for centuries, this one took numerous forms before settling into its current spelling. Many of the forms didn't include the "b" at all—and it's believed that the "b" was probably never pronounced in English. The "b" spellings that were used were a nod to the Latin subtilis. And much to the chagrin of those in favor of phonetic spellings today, one of them came out on top.

Examples of subtle in a Sentence

Although artists and patrons in Venice still sought images of ideal figures, they insisted that this imagery be rooted in a more subtle and insightful interpretation of human life and character. — Andrew Butterfield, New York Review of Books, 16 July 2009 These days, some of the most exciting cooking with brown rice is taking place in Japan, where purveyors are beginning to embrace the subtle variations that can be achieved through custom-milling and cooks are repurposing traditional techniques and dishes to accommodate the food's flavors and textures. — Karen Shimizu, Saveur, May 2008 The language of the face communicates maximum information through the subtlest inflections. The interfaces of our souls are designed to be read in a heartbeat. — Steve Silberman, Wired, May 2003 a subtle difference in meaning between the words Racial discrimination still exists, only now it's subtler than it once was. When it comes to giving criticism, sometimes it's best to take a subtle approach. He didn't seem to understand my subtle hints. It was her subtle way of telling me to mind my own business. She has a subtle mind.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The blues tend to be more on the nautical side, while the reds are subtle—a prime case for mixing colors in a way that’s just a little out of the ordinary. — Nikhita Mahtani, House Beautiful, "How to Budget for a Second Home—Without Sacrificing Style," 29 Aug. 2019 Overall, however, the pumpkin flavor of the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is subtle at best and entirely too easy to miss at worst. — Lauren Saria, azcentral, "Here's what the new Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew really tastes like," 27 Aug. 2019 Even some aspects of fundamental physics that seem firmly established are surprisingly subtle. — George Musser, Scientific American, "The Search for Truth in Physics," 25 Aug. 2019 Since then, change has been subtle — there will be no legal mushroom shops. — The Denver Post, "Post Premium: Our best stories for the week of Aug. 19-25," 25 Aug. 2019 But these changes are subtle, cross-fading from one form to the next as the company masterfully demonstrates their dexterity in a variety of styles. — Lauren Warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "SummerDance Celebration was a perfect day in the park, plus a plea for Chicagoans to see more dance indoors this fall," 24 Aug. 2019 Measuring roughly five inches from tip to tip, these spiders are not exactly small, nor are their brilliant blue patches particularly subtle. — Nadia Drake, National Geographic, "Shimmery blue tarantula discovered," 23 Aug. 2019 Many have been subtle, but none insignificant—especially for a young country star coming out of Nashville. — Abby Aguirre, Vogue, "Taylor Swift on Sexism, Scrutiny, and Standing Up for Herself," 8 Aug. 2019 On the company’s website, the only changes were subtle. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, "Trump’s Tax Law Threatened TurboTax’s Profits. So the Company Started Charging the Disabled, the Unemployed and Students.," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subtle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of subtle

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for subtle

Middle English sotil, subtile, from Anglo-French, from Latin subtilis, literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to weave — more at technical

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More Definitions for subtle

subtle

adjective
How to pronounce subtle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of subtle

: hard to notice or see : not obvious

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