subtly

adverb

sub·​tly
variants or less commonly subtlely
ˈsətᵊl|ē
ˈsət(ᵊ)l|
|i
: in a subtle manner : with subtlety : so as to be subtle
two words with subtly different meanings
a subtly sophisticated design
a subtly altered recipe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sutelly, sotily, sotilich, from sutil, sotil subtle + -ly, -lich -ly

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Cite this Entry

“Subtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtly. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

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