 |
| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | soutil, from Latin subtilis 'finely woven, subtle', from tela 'something woven' |
| |||||||||
sub‧tle
comparative subtler or, more subtle, superlative subtlest
comparative subtler or, more subtle, superlative subtlest1 not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention [≠ obvious]: 
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.2 behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do : I think we need a more subtle approach. a subtle plan
I think we need a more subtle approach.a subtle plan3 very clever in noticing and understanding things [↪ sensitive]: a subtle mind
a subtle mind —subtly adverb: a subtly different colour
a subtly different colour