subtle

Word family

sub·tle /ˈsʌtl/ adjectiveadj (comparativecomp subtler or more subtle, superlativesupl subtlest)

1 OBVIOUS#not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention 难以察觉[理解]的；微妙的，细微的 OPP obvious

The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.

这些图片很相似，但它们之间有细微的差别。

The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.

这种疾病的警示征兆不易察觉，因而往往被忽视。

a subtle form of racism

隐性的种族歧视

subtle taste/flavour/smell etc

The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle.

浆果干的味道要淡一些。

The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.

这道菜微微带点姜的味道。

2 HIDE/NOT SHOWbehaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to hide what you are trying to do 含蓄的，隐晦的

I think we need a more subtle approach.

我认为我们需要采用一种更含蓄的方式。

a subtle plan

巧妙的计划

subtle about

She wasn’t very subtle about it. She just said she didn’t love him anymore.

她没有拐弯抹角，直说不再爱他了。

3 INTELLIGENTvery clever in noticing and understanding things 敏感的，敏锐的；有辨识力的 → sensitive

a subtle mind

敏锐的头脑

—subtly adverbadv

a subtly different colour

有细微差别的颜色

Examples from the Corpus

subtle• We noticed some deterioration in her speech, but it was very subtle.• But they were active, and clamorous, and in subtle and not so subtle ways they corrupted the intellectual atmosphere.• It was around this time that I started to notice subtle changes in Clive's character.• The patterns look very similar, but there are subtle differences between them.• Some of the more subtle forms of malnutrition are difficult to identify.• Look for their Hair Glistener - it leaves hair smelling irresistible and creates subtle, glittering highlights in your hair.• a subtle hint of almond• Very soon the research opened my mind to more subtle ideas.• She wasn't ever subtle in giving her opinion.• Instead it has a subtle onion flavor that makes it much more complex and interesting.• More subtle pressures relating to meetings are already assumed to be inevitable.• It is often amazing how the most insignificant contributor to a project can foresee the subtlest problem and devise a solution.• Even the first version of Bacon is subtler than this summary suggests.• Linda was able to influence her superiors in subtle ways.• However subtle we are forced to make our idea of science, nature remains an independent realm awaiting discovery.

subtle form• Now the tobacco industry is going for the slightly more subtle form of advertising which is sponsorship.• More subtle forms of cultural influence also abound.• There are many more subtler forms of exerting pressure and discrimination.• Though her technique clearly derives from the modernists, it is adapted into a unique, subtle form of her own.• But how did such a subtle form of protection evolve?• Maybe it was a subtle form of retaliation.• One more subtle form of sexism contributes to lower salaries for women, Sullivan said.• In a somewhat more subtle form, these tendencies continue into later childhood.

Origin subtle

(1300-1400) Old French soutil, from Latin subtilis “finely woven, subtle”, from tela “something woven”

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus