sub ‧ tle /ˈsʌtl/ BrE AmE adjective ( comparative subtler or more subtle , superlative subtlest )
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: soutil , from Latin subtilis 'finely woven, subtle' , from tela 'something woven' ]
1 . not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention OPP obvious :
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.
The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.
a subtle form of racism
subtle taste/flavour/smell etc
The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle.
The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.
2 . behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do:
I think we need a more subtle approach.
a subtle plan
subtle about
She wasn’t very subtle about it. She just said she didn’t love him any more.
3 . very clever in noticing and understanding things ⇨ sensitive :
a subtle mind
—subtly adverb :
a subtly different colour