B2adjective · common

subtle

sub·tle

subtle · subtler · subtlest

глибокий

тонкий, неуловимый, едва различимый

dezent, subtil, fast unmerklich, feinsinnig

Senses relating to tangible thingsSenses relating to tangible things.: Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious; inconspicuous, unintrusive.

ⓘ

UK/ˈsʌtl̩/US/ˈsʌtəl/

» There are subtle differences between the two pictures.

Meaning

17 senses

Senses relating to tangible things.
Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious; inconspicuous, unintrusive.
(historical)Of a substance, especially a gas or liquid: of low density or thin consistency; rarefied, tenuous; hence, tending to spread everywhere due to this quality.
Senses relating to intangible things.
Of an argument or concept, words, etc.: requiring one to distinguish between fine points, especially if it is difficult to do so; nice; also (generally), difficult to grasp; not easily understood or obvious.
subtil, dezent, fast unmerklich
неуловимыйneulovimyj, едва различимый, то́нкийtónkij
Giving only a slight impression; elusive, indistinct; also, skilfully restrained or understated.
The difference between the tones is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
Of an artist, a musician, etc.: having a light touch; sensitive.
Of a person: sensitive to the feelings of others; discreet, tactful.
Of a person, their intellect or mind, etc.: discerning, perceptive, shrewd, wise.
Acting (especially causing harm) in a stealthy, often gradual, manner; insidious.
Senses relating to tangible things.
(archaic)Having a delicate or fine substance or texture; hence, exquisite, refined.
(archaic)Slender, thin.
(archaic)Of a substance: finely powdered; also, of particles of a substance: very fine or small.
(archaic)Of weight: after the tare (“weight of an empty container”) has been subtracted; net.

More definitions

able to make fine distinctions
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

Examples

51 sentences

There are subtle differences between the two pictures.
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Native speakers can often correct subtle mistakes that non-native speakers may overlook.
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There were subtle differences.
ruРазница была неуловима.
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There are subtle differences.
ruЕсть еле уловимые различия.
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Am I being too subtle?
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Translations

8 languages

Русский

By meaning 1

of an argument or concept, words, etc.: requiring one to distinguish between fine points, especially if it is difficult to do so; difficult to grasp; not easily understood or obvious:

Deutsch

By meaning 1

of an argument or concept, words, etc.: requiring one to distinguish between fine points, especially if it is difficult to do so; difficult to grasp; not easily understood or obvious:

Origin

The adjective is derived from Middle English sotil, soubtil, subtil (“of a person, the min

The adjective is derived from Middle English sotil, soubtil, subtil (“of a person, the mind, etc.: clever, ingenious, penetrating; cunning, sly; insidious; delicate, fine; not dense, light, thin; finely powdered; narrow, slender; etc.”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman sotel, subtil, sutil, Middle French soutil, subtil, sutil, and Old French sotil, soutil, subtil, sutil (“of an object: skilfully designed or made; delicate, fine; slender, thin; of an intangible thing: difficult to understand; of a person: discerning, shrewd; devious, sly; etc.”) (modern French subtil), from Latin subtīlis (“of texture: delicate, fine; slender, thin; accurate, keen; having fine judgment; etc.”), from sub (“below, under”) + tēla (“warp (threads running lengthwise in a loom); web”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ- (“to create, produce; to cut, hew”), from *teḱ- (“to beget, sire”)). The word displaced Old English smēag (literally “creeping”).

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