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

By popular belief, never proved legally, Lansky taught the Mafia’s crude leadership of the 1920s and 1930s, showing them the subtleties of financial manipulation, concealment and investment of the proceeds of bootlegging and gambling. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

This extra vibrancy joins with a clear improvement in the subtlety with which the Bravia 5s deliver small color tone shifts and blends to instantly makes pictures look more engaging, three dimensional and enjoyable. —John Archer, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

The damn thing works because the damn thing works, barreling over you without a concern for subtlety or restraint. 56. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

Then there are those who eschew trims and other subtleties so as to look—post-haircut—conspicuously different. —Kate Guadagnino, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025

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