Meaning & use
subtlety
Last updated
A delicate or precise quality that is not obvious and requires close attention to notice.
See it in a sentence
The novel's subtlety lies in how small gestures reveal a character's true feelings.
She missed the subtlety of his sarcasm and took the comment literally.
A note on using this word
Often used in the plural, 'subtleties,' to refer to small but important details within a larger idea.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
obviousnessbluntness
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