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subtle
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Something that is subtle is not obvious: a professional food taster might be able to perceive subtle differences of flavor that most people don't notice.
Subtle is used for things that are hard to describe because of their complexity or delicacy: a way of thinking, arguing, or creating a work of art. The word is pronounced like "suttle" and it was originally spelled that way when it was borrowed from Old French, but the b got imported to make the word look more like its ultimate source, the Latin adjective subtilis. If you try to pronounce the b, your ignorance of how to say the word properly won't be very subtle!
WORD FAMILY
subtilise: subtilised, subtilises, subtilising/subtilize: subtilized, subtilizes, subtilizing/subtle: subtilise, subtilize, subtlely, subtler, subtlest, subtlety, subtly, unsubtle/subtlety: subtleties/unsubtle: unsubtly
USAGE EXAMPLES
Yet the differences between the ups and downs were subtle.
Washington Times(Jul 10, 2014)
It’s a subtle shift from the “devices and services” mantra that Ballmer espoused, and that Nadella made a point of discontinuing in his memo.
Time(Jul 10, 2014)
It is the quiet, subtle, daily, steady stream of messages that parents give their kids that matter.
Time(Jul 10, 2014)
It also has a grave, brooding beauty, intensified by Michael Giacchino’s wild and subtle score and by the deep, verdant shadows of Michael Seresin’s cinematography.
New York Times(Jul 10, 2014)
But it has had some subtler negative effects too, and that’s what this post covers.
Forbes(Jul 10, 2014)
1
adjdifficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change
a subtle difference
Synonyms:
elusive
impalpable
imperceptible to the senses or the mind
2
adjable to make fine distinctions
a subtle mind
Synonyms
perceptive
having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment
3
adjworking or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
a subtle poison
Synonyms:
insidious, pernicious
harmful
causing or capable of causing harm
subtle

[adjective]

1 = sophisticated, delicate, refined

2 = faint, delicate, implied, slight, understated

3 = crafty, artful, cunning, devious, ingenious, shrewd, sly, wily

sub·tle
\\ˈsə-təl\\ adjective
(sub·tler \\ˈsət-lər, ˈsə-təl-ər\\ ; sub·tlest \\ˈsət-ləst, ˈsə-təl-əst\\)
 ETYMOLOGY  Middle English sotil, subtile, from Anglo-French, from Latin subtilis, literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to weave — more at technical
 DATE  14th century
1.
  a. delicate, elusive
      a subtle fragrance
  b. difficult to understand or perceive : obscure
      subtle differences in sound
2.
  a. perceptive, refined
      a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense
  b. having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly
      a subtle scholar
3.
  a. highly skillful : expert
      a subtle craftsman
  b. cunningly made or contrived : ingenious
4. artful, crafty
    a subtle rogue
5. operating insidiously
    subtle poisons
• sub·tle·ness \\ˈsə-təl-nəs\\ noun
• sub·tly \\ˈsət-lē, ˈsə-təl-(l)ē\\ adverb

subtle

adjective
 
/ˈsʌtl/
/ˈsʌtl/
(comparative subtler
/ˈsʌtələ(r)/
/ˈsʌtələr/
, superlative subtlest
/ˈsʌtəlɪst/
/ˈsʌtəlɪst/
)
more subtle is also common
jump to other results
  1.  
    (often approving) not very obvious or easy to notice 不易察觉的；不明显的；微妙的
    • subtle colours/flavours/smells, etc.淡淡的色彩、味道、气味等
    • There are subtle differences between the two versions.两个版本之间有一些细微的差异。
    • The fragrance is a subtle blend of jasmine and sandalwood.这款香水是茉莉和檀香的微妙混合物。
    • She's been dropping subtle hints about what she'd like as a present.她不断隐隐暗示她喜欢什么样的礼物。
    Extra Examples
    • For a natural glow to your skin mix a subtle shade of blusher with loose powder.为了使皮肤自然焕发光泽，请混合微妙的腮红和散粉。
    • Her paintings are characterized by sweeping brush strokes and subtle colours.她的画特点是奔放的笔锋和淡雅的色彩。
    • making infinitely subtle distinctions进行极为细致的区分
    Topics Colours and Shapesc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    See full entry
  2.  
    behaving or organized in a clever way, and using indirect methods, in order to achieve something机智的；机巧的；狡猾的
    • I decided to try a more subtle approach.我决定智取。
    • a subtle plan巧妙的计划
    • a subtle use of lighting in the play灯光在剧中的巧妙运用
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    See full entry
  3. good at noticing and understanding things敏锐的；头脑灵活的
    • The job required a subtle mind.那项工作需要一个头脑敏锐的人去做。
    4. Word OriginMiddle English (also in the sense ‘not easily understood’): from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis.
subtle

adjective
1 the colours are soft and subtle | the dish had a very subtle flavour
UNDERSTATED , low-key, muted, toned down, subdued;
DELICATE , faint, pale, soft, indistinct, indefinite, vague, washed out.
-opposite(s): LURID ; OBVIOUS.

2 subtle distinctions are of little value
FINE , fine-drawn, ultra-fine, nice, overnice, minute, precise, narrow, tenuous;
HAIR-SPLITTING , indistinct, indefinite, elusive, abstruse; informal minuscule.
-opposite(s): CRUDE.

3 a robust and subtle mind
ASTUTE , keen, quick, fine, acute, sharp, razor-like, razor-sharp, rapier-like, canny, shrewd, aware, perceptive, discerning, sensitive, discriminating, penetrating, sagacious, wise, clever, intelligent, skilful, artful; sapient, percipient, perspicacious; informal on the ball, savvy; archaic politic.
-opposite(s): SLOW-WITTED.

4 the plan was simple yet subtle
INGENIOUS , clever, skilful, adroit, complex, intricate, cunning, crafty, wily, artful, devious.
-opposite(s): CRUDE, ARTLESS.
subtle
see
 ⇨ OBVIOUS 4
subtle
sub·tle / 5sQtl ; 5sQtl /adjective
subtler or, more subtle, subtlest
1. not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention难以捉摸（理解）的; 微妙的，细微的;ANTobvious
•The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.这些图片很相似，但它们之间有细微的差别。
•The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.这种疾病的征兆不易察觉，因而往往被忽视。
•a subtle form of racism一种微妙的种族歧视
subtle taste / flavour / smell etc
•The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle.干浆果的味道要淡一些。
•The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.这道菜微微带点姜的味道。
2. behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do含蓄的，隐晦的:
•I think we need a more subtle approach.我认为我们需要采用一种更含蓄的方式。
•a subtle plan巧妙的计划
[+ about ]
•She wasn't very subtle about it. She just said she didn't love him any more.她对此没怎么拐弯抹角，她就说不再爱他了。
3. very clever in noticing and understanding things敏感的，敏锐的; 有辨识力的;
⇒sensitive:
•a subtle mind敏锐的头脑
—subtly adv:
•a subtly different colour有细微差别的颜色
subtle ★★☆☆☆
1.ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词不易察觉的;不明显的;微妙的 Something that is subtle is not immediately obvious or noticeable.

  • ...the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things...

    发生在所有生物身上的缓慢而细微的变化

  • Intolerance can take subtler forms too.

    过敏反应也可能会表现得很不明显。

subtly

  • The truth is subtly different...

    事实略有不同。

  • We change subtly all the time.

    我们每时每刻都在发生细微的变化。

2.ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词机智的;机巧的;狡猾的 A subtle person cleverly uses indirect methods to achieve something.

  • I even began to exploit him in subtle ways...

    我甚至开始巧妙地利用他。

  • He is a subtle character, you know.

    你知道他为人狡猾。

subtly

  • What I've tried very subtly to do is to reclaim language.

    我费尽心机在做的就是改造、拯救语言。

3.ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词清淡的;隐约的;柔和的 Subtle smells, tastes, sounds, or colours are pleasantly complex and delicate.

  • ...subtle shades of brown.

    淡棕色

  • ...delightfully subtle scents.

    怡人的淡淡香气

  • ...whole aubergines in a very subtle sauce.

    清淡的调味汁里整只的茄子

subtly

  • ...a white sofa teamed with subtly coloured rugs.

    白沙发搭配以色彩柔和的地垫

subtle★★☆☆☆
1[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词] 不易察觉的;不明显的;微妙的；Something that is subtle is not immediately obvious or noticeable.

  • //...the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things...

    发生在所有生物身上的缓慢而细微的变化

  • Intolerance can take subtler forms too.

    过敏反应也可能会表现得很不明显。

subtly

  • The truth is subtly different...

    事实略有不同。

  • We change subtly all the time.

    我们每时每刻都在发生细微的变化。

2[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词] 机智的;机巧的;狡猾的；A subtle person cleverly uses indirect methods to achieve something.

  • I even began to exploit him in subtle ways...

    我甚至开始巧妙地利用他。

  • He is a subtle character, you know.

    你知道他为人狡猾。

subtly

  • What I've tried very subtly to do is to reclaim language.

    我费尽心机在做的就是改造、拯救语言。

3[ADJ-GRADED 能被表示程度的副词或介词词组修饰的形容词] 清淡的;隐约的;柔和的；Subtle smells, tastes, sounds, or colours are pleasantly complex and delicate.

  • //...subtle shades of brown.

    淡棕色

  • //...delightfully subtle scents.

    怡人的淡淡香气

  • //...whole aubergines in a very subtle sauce.

    清淡的调味汁里整只的茄子

subtly

  • //...a white sofa teamed with subtly coloured rugs.

    白沙发搭配以色彩柔和的地垫

Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of English


subtle
adj.

VERBS be, seem | become

ADV. extraordinarily, extremely, very | infinitely making infinitely subtle distinctions | not exactly, not too He was not exactly subtle about it! | fairly, quite, rather

subtlesubtleadj.[搭配]VERBSbe, seem
细致；好像细致become
变细致[搭配]ADV.extraordinarily, extremely, very
异常细致；极其细致；很微妙infinitely
无限精细:making infinitely subtle distinctions 进行极为细致的区分not exactly, not too
并不太细致:He was not exactly subtle about it! 他对此可不是太敏感！fairly, quite, rather
相当细致；颇精细；还算精细
微妙的
微妙的

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