One entry found for subtle.

Main Entry: sub·tle
Pronunciation: st-l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): sub·tler /st-lr, -l-r/; sub·tlest /st-lst, -l-st/
Etymology: Middle English sotil, subtile "delicate," from early French sotil (same meaning), from Latin subtilis "delicate," literally, "finely woven," from sub "under, close to" and tela "fabric woven on a loom"
1 a : DELICATE 1, elusive <a subtle fragrance> b : difficult to understand or distinguish <subtle differences in vowel sounds>
2 : marked by a keen ability to understand <a subtle mind>
3 : SLY 1a, crafty <subtle flattery>
4 : working slowly but effectively : INSIDIOUS <a subtle poison>
- sub·tle·ness /st-l-ns/ noun
- sub·tly /st-l, st-l-(l)/ adverb

Pronunciation Symbols