subtlety

noun

sub·​tle·​ty ˈsə-tᵊl-tē How to pronounce subtlety (audio)
plural subtleties
1
: the quality or state of being subtle
2
: something subtle

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The air Fryer arrived on American shores with all the subtlety of a sack of fried potatoes. Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2025 She was known for her subtlety, crafting clothing that blended seamlessly into each film’s era. Ash Wu, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025 As anyone who’s watched an iota of sports programming over the past few years can attest, the betting business doesn’t traffic in subtlety. Sean Gregory / Boston, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025 The team's findings suggest that under specific criteria, despite the subtlety of these signals, one operating radio telescope could be sensitive enough to detect them or, equally importantly, their absence in the near future. Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for subtlety 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtlety was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near subtlety

Cite this Entry

“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtlety. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

subtlety

noun
sub·​tle·​ty ˈsət-ᵊl-tē How to pronounce subtlety (audio)
plural subtleties
1
: the quality or state of being subtle
2
: something subtle

More from Merriam-Webster on subtlety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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