B2adjectivelanguagearts
US/ˈsʌt.əl/
UK/ˈsʌt.əl/
small or not obvious, so it is difficult to notice; also clever in a quiet way
In context
There is a subtle difference between 'house' and 'home'.
The soup has a subtle taste of lemongrass.
She gave me a subtle hint that it was time to leave.
Words that go with subtle
adjective + noun
- subtle differenceCan you hear the subtle difference between the two sounds?
- subtle changesDoctors look for subtle changes in behavior.
- subtle hintHe dropped a subtle hint about his birthday.
- subtle wayAds influence us in subtle ways.
adverb + adjective
- very subtleThe joke was very subtle, so few people laughed.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
/ˈsʌb.təl/Correct: /ˈsʌt.əl/