subtlety

noun

sub·​tle·​ty ˈsə-tᵊl-tē 

plural subtleties

1

: the quality or state of being subtle

2

: something subtle

Synonyms

• artfulness
• artifice
• caginess
• cageyness
• canniness
• craft
• craftiness
• cunning
• cunningness
• deviousness
• foxiness
• guile
• guilefulness
• slickness
• slyness
• sneakiness
• subtleness
• wiliness

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

The subtleties and movement of the paint remain visible, creating a one-of-a-kind application that registers imperfections as part of its artistic appeal. —Dalya Benor, Architectural Digest, 28 June 2024

For all her subtlety, Manguso has always evinced a tendency to make broad, sometimes crude generalizations, to break the world into types. —Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

It’s got a subtlety that takes a little while to seep in, but everyone is affected by it. —Jennifer Billock, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2024

Just as with its namesake show, don’t look for subtlety here, just delicious fun. —Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 25 July 2024

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