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

But outside Barbie Land, the irony had all the subtlety of Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa House. — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026

Opponents say that the constitutional amendment stream-rolls subtlety allowed under state law, like teaching foreign languages in public schools. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2026

Granted, people don’t usually crave Seattle teriyaki for its subtlety; add a dose of the house chili oil for texture and kick. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Though with more subtlety, the same fault lines run through Merve Kaplan’s work for the biennial. — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 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