What does subtlety mean?

Definitions for subtlety
ˈsʌt l tisub·tle·ty

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word subtlety.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. nuance, nicety, shade, subtlety, refinementnoun

    a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude

    "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning"

  2. subtlety, nicenessnoun

    the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze

    "you had to admire the subtlety of the distinctions he drew"

Wiktionary

  1. subtletynoun

    The quality or fact of being subtle.

    With all his usual subtlety, he quietly fixed the problem before anyone else noticed it.

  2. subtletynoun

    An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.

    The subtleties of this overture are often overlooked.

  3. subtletynoun

    An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.

    At the king's coronation feast, several subtleties were served between main courses.

  4. Etymology: From sutilté, from subtilitas, from subtilis.

ChatGPT

  1. subtlety

    Subtlety refers to the quality of being delicate, precise, or intricate. It can also refer to something that is not obvious or immediately noticeable, requiring careful observation or nuanced understanding to fully comprehend. It is often used to describe fine details or complexities in art, literature, behavior, arguments, or discussions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Subtletynoun

    the quality or state of being subtle, or sly; cunning; craftiness; artfulness

  2. Subtletynoun

    nice discernment with delicacy of mental action; nicety of discrimination

  3. Subtletynoun

    something that is sly, crafty, or delusive

  4. Etymology: [OE. sotelte, sutilte, OF. sotillete, L. subtilitas. See Subtle, and cf. Subtility.]

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of subtlety in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of subtlety in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of subtlety in a Sentence

  1. Isaac Asimov:

    It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.

  2. Leo Buscaglia:

    Perfect love is rare indeed - for to be a lover will require that you continually have the subtlety of the very wise, the flexibility of the child, the sensitivity of the artist, the understanding of the philosopher, the acceptance of the saint, the tolerance of the scholar and the fortitude of the certain.

  3. Sun Tzu:

    O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

  4. Francis Bacon:

    The subtlety of nature is greater many times over than the subtlety of the senses and understanding.

  5. Scot Glasberg:

    Subtlety has been the keyword I’ve heard from patients over the past year, minimally invasive procedures typically produce subtle aesthetic results and for many people, that is all they want or need at the time.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for subtlety

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"subtlety." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/subtlety>.

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