subtle
/ˈsʌtl̩/
Senses relating to tangible things.; Slender, thin; Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious
- comparative
- more subtle
- superlative
- most subtle
Meanings
- 1
Senses relating to tangible things.; Slender, thin
I missed the subtle but critical difference.
Tatoeba · frpzzd · CC BY 2.0 FR
Mary was a woman of subtle beauty.
Tatoeba · Objectivesea · CC BY 2.0 FR
- 2
Senses relating to tangible things.; Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious; inconspicuous, unintrusive
- 3
Senses relating to tangible things.; Having a delicate or fine substance or texture; hence, exquisite, refined
- 4
Senses relating to tangible things.; Of a substance: finely powdered; also, of particles of a substance: very fine or smallrare
- 5
Senses relating to tangible things.; Of weight: after the tare (“weight of an empty container”) has been subtracted; netrare
- 6
Senses relating to tangible things.; Of a substance, especially a gas or liquid: of low density or thin consistency; rarefied, tenuous; hence, tending to spread everywhere due to this qualityrare
- 7
Senses relating to tangible things.; Synonym of subtile (“of a ship: narrow, slender”)rare
- 8
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 obviousrare
- 9
Senses relating to intangible things.; Giving only a slight impression; elusive, indistinct; also, skilfully restrained or understatedrare
- 10
Senses relating to intangible things.; Of an artist, a musician, etc.: having a light touch; sensitiverare