subtle

5 definitions • 9 examples

not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way:

The room was painted a subtle shade of pink.

The play's message is perhaps too subtle to be understood by young children.

small but important:

There is a subtle difference between these two plans.

achieved in a quiet way that does not attract attention to itself and is therefore good or clever:

a subtle plan/suggestion

subtle questions

not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious:

subtle flavors

a subtle shade of pink

The subtle nuances of English pronunciation are hard to master.

Subtle can also mean small but important:

There are subtle differences between the two.