subtlety

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
2. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
3. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
4. (countable, uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
5. (countable) An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.
6. (countable, historical) An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.
7. (archaic, countable, uncountable) The quality of being clever in surreptitious or deceitful behaviour; an act or argument that shows this quality.
8. (countable, obsolete) A trick that creates a false appearance.
9. (obsolete, uncountable) The property of having a low density or thin consistency.
10. (obsolete, uncountable) The property of being able to penetrate materials easily.

Synonyms

fineness

nicety

delicacy

niceness

nuance

refinement

minuteness

shade

acuteness

sheerness

daintiness

wit

craftiness

sleaziness

slenderness

slimness

polish

🇵🇱

comity

subtleness

gauziness

tact

tactfulness

tenuity

tenuousness

thinness

ticklishness

penetration

politeness

precise

refined

sagaciousness

scheme

sensibility

sensitiveness

sensitivity

shrewdness

skill

slant

slightness

slyness

smallness

smart

smartness

susceptibility

tint

treacherous

treachery

urbanity

vulnerability

waspishness

Translations

sutileza

subtilité

sutileza

sottigliezza

nuance

Feinheit

Subtilität

delicadeza

subtileza

finezza

slimheid

subtiliteit

finesse

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsʌt(ə)lti/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sotilte

In summary

From Middle English sotilte, from Old French sutilté, inherited from Latin subtīlitās, from subtīlis (“subtle”). Equivalent to subtle + -ty. Doublet of subtility.