adjective

subtle

subtle, delicate, understated

There is a subtle difference between the two colors.

There is a subtle difference between the two colours.

He gave a subtle hint about the surprise party.

He gave a subtle hint about the surprise party.

((a subtle sth.)) a subtle (sth.) A subtle flavor of garlic.

Synonyms: delicate, faint, understated; Antonyms: obvious, blatant

From Latin 'subtilis' (finely woven), from 'sub' (under) + 'tela' (web).

The 'b' is silent. Think of something so fine it's 'under the web' (sub-tela).

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