subtle meaning
subtle :
not obvious, hard to notice
Adjective
▪ The change was subtle.
▪ The change was hard to see.
▪ She gave a subtle hint.
▪ She gave a small clue.
paraphrasing
▪ slight – small or minor
▪ delicate – fine or gentle
▪ faint – weak or dim
▪ understated – simple or not obvious
Pronunciation
subtle [ˈsʌt.əl]
The stress is on 'sub' and sounds like 'sut-l'.
Common phrases and grammar about subtle
subtle - Common meaning
Adjective
not obvious, hard to notice
Part of Speech Changes for "subtle"
▪ subtly (adverb) – in a way that is not obvious
▪ subtlety (noun) – the quality of being subtle
Common Expressions with "subtle"
▪ subtle difference – a small difference
▪ subtle hint – a small clue
▪ subtle change – a small change
▪ subtle flavor – a light taste
Important examples of subtle in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, subtle often describes changes or differences that are not obvious.
Example of a confusing word: suttle (a non-standard variation or misspelling)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Subtle is used as an adjective and often appears in questions asking for a word that means 'not obvious'.
subtle
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
subtle hint
'a small clue', used when someone gives a hint that is not easy to notice.
not-so-subtle
means 'very obvious', used sarcastically to describe something that is not subtle at all.
Differences between similar words and subtle
subtle
,
slight
differences
Subtle is used for things not easily noticed, while slight refers to something small in size or degree.
Words with the same origin as subtle
The origin of subtle
Subtle comes from the Latin 'subtilis', meaning 'fine' or 'delicate', which evolved to mean 'not obvious'.
Word structure
The word is composed of 'sub' (under) and 'tilis' (web or fabric), suggesting something finely woven or intricate.
Words with the same origin
The word's root is unclear or difficult to confirm.
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