subtlety

noun

sub·​tle·​ty ˈsə-tᵊl-tē 

plural subtleties

1

: the quality or state of being subtle

2

: something subtle

Synonyms of subtlety

• cunning
• artfulness
• subtleness

Examples of subtlety in a Sentence

The pianist performed with subtlety and passion.

we appreciated the subtlety with which our host indicated that it was time to leave: he volunteered to pack us a little lunch for the road

Recent Examples on the Web

His own flaw being his lack of subtlety at times. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Also, one of the big themes of Homeric scholarship over the past few decades has been the flexibility of the narrative perspectives in the original poems and the subtlety of the narrative shifts. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 June 2026

How that is playing out in terms of stylistic difference will have to be weighed by bootleg-favoring Dylanologists who are more attuned to the subtleties of band interplay. — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2026

That subtlety is probably the 720M's greatest strength. — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sotilte, subtilte, from Anglo-French sotilté, from Latin subtilitat-, subtilitas, from subtilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subtlety

noun

sub·​tle·​ty ˈsət-ᵊl-tē 

plural subtleties

1

: the quality or state of being subtle

2

: something subtle