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

Key and especially Strong could convey depth and emotion, subtlety, and often weirdness via their small choices and close ups, defining their characters in opposition to the town’s broad-for-the-sake-of-comedy denizens. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026

This year’s lineup suggests that subtlety may carry the day, but there is always room for a little theater. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026

There’s nothing fancy about a big, square screen that sits upstage of the circular playing area, but the subtlety in which the images and mood flows through the screen greatly enhance the storytelling. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026

These are thematically on-the-nose gestures, but Kawamura, unlike the game’s creators, doesn’t place a premium on subtlety—or, for that matter, interactivity. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 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