subtle
gb/sˈʌtəl/ us/sˈʌtəl/
B2
English
~ 9900
finom, alig észrevehető, burkolt, árnyalt, kifinomult, fondorlatos, alattomos
B2
1
finom
A2
Usage pattern:
a subtle [difference/change/hint] in [something]
There was a subtle change in his tone that made her uneasy.
A hangjában volt egy finom változás, amitől a nő nyugtalan lett.
The differences between the two proposals are subtle but important.
A két javaslat közötti különbségek alig észrevehetők, de fontosak.
The designer used subtle lighting to make the room feel larger.
She gave him a subtle nod to show that she agreed.
The perfume has a subtle effect that you only notice after a few minutes.
Learner examples
There is a subtle change in the color of the sky at sunset.
Naplementekor finom változás figyelhető meg az ég színében.
I saw a subtle smile on her face.
Egy alig észrevehető mosolyt láttam az arcán.
The teacher made a subtle correction to my sentence.
He sent a subtle message that he was not happy.
The medicine had a subtle effect at first.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "subtle" when they only mean "small" in a physical sense (e.g., "a subtle house"), which sounds unnatural. "Subtle" is more about something being difficult to see, hear, or understand, not just physically small.
Meaning
not easy to notice or understand
Collocations
subtle difference
|subtle change
|subtle hint
|subtle shift
|subtle effect
|subtle variation
Synonyms
slight (Focuses more on small size or degree; may or may not be hard to notice.)
Antonyms
obvious (Easy to see or understand, the opposite of hidden or hard to notice.)
Themes
thinking
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not easy to see or understand because it is small or not very clear.
Not obvious or easy to notice or understand, often because the difference, effect, or quality is small, fine, or indirect.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a subtle [hint/suggestion/message] that [clause]
She dropped a subtle hint that she wanted to leave the party early.
Finoman célzott rá, hogy korábban el akar menni a buliból.
The advertisement uses subtle messages to make viewers feel insecure.
A reklám burkolt üzenetekkel éri el, hogy a nézők bizonytalannak érezzék magukat.
He tried to put subtle pressure on his team to work longer hours.
Her criticism was subtle, but everyone understood what she meant.
The movie makes a subtle comment on social class without ever naming it.
Learner examples
My friend gave me a subtle hint that my joke was not funny.
A barátom finoman jelezte, hogy a viccem nem volt vicces.
The manager made a subtle suggestion that I should come earlier.
A menedzser burkoltan azt javasolta, hogy jöjjek korábban.
He used subtle language to say that the plan was bad.
Her parents give her subtle messages about their expectations.
The teacher tried a subtle way to tell him to be quiet.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "subtle" with "suttle" or think it means "soft" in volume. It actually describes the style of communication or action, not loudness: a person can speak loudly but still send a subtle message through word choice or tone.
Meaning
indirect and not openly stated
Collocations
subtle hint
|subtle suggestion
|subtle message
|subtle pressure
|subtle form of control
Synonyms
indirect (Describes not saying or doing something in a direct way; less focus on delicacy or refinement than "subtle".)
Antonyms
blunt (Describes speech that is very direct and may seem rude, the opposite of carefully indirect.)
Themes
communication
|social
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Saying or doing something in a quiet, indirect way, so people understand it without you saying it directly.
Expressing or doing something in an indirect, delicate, or understated way, so that the message is suggested rather than said clearly.
C1
3
árnyalt
B2
kifinomult
B2
Usage pattern:
a subtle [mind/analysis/distinction] about [something]
His essay shows a subtle understanding of international politics.
Az esszéje a nemzetközi politika árnyalt megértéséről tanúskodik.
The book makes a subtle distinction between empathy and sympathy.
A könyv árnyalt különbséget tesz az empátia és a szimpátia között.
Her argument is subtle and will probably be misunderstood by casual readers.
The scientist offered a subtle analysis of the data that changed how we see the problem.
It takes a subtle mind to see the pattern in these results.
Learner examples
The teacher gave a very subtle explanation of the poem.
A tanár nagyon árnyalt magyarázatot adott a versről.
You need a subtle mind to understand this theory.
Ennek az elméletnek a megértéséhez árnyalt gondolkodásra van szükség.
There is a subtle difference between these two ideas.
The movie has a subtle message about power.
His question was very subtle and showed deep thinking.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "subtle" in this sense means "smart" in general, but it specifically suggests careful, fine, or complex thinking, not just high intelligence.
Meaning
showing fine, deep understanding
Collocations
subtle mind
|subtle analysis
|subtle argument
|subtle distinction
|subtle interpretation
Synonyms
sophisticated (Suggests complex and advanced thinking; can also relate to style or social life, not just ideas.)
Antonyms
crude (Describes thinking or explanations as simple and lacking in detail or refinement.)
Themes
thinking
|education
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing very careful and deep thinking, or needing that kind of thinking to understand.
Showing, involving, or requiring careful, sensitive, and detailed thinking or understanding, especially of complex ideas or patterns.
B2
4
finom
A2
Usage pattern:
a subtle [flavor/scent/shade] of [something]
The sauce has a subtle flavor of lemon that doesn't overpower the fish.
A szósznak finom citromíze van, amely nem nyomja el a hal ízét.
I love the subtle scent of jasmine in this tea.
Imádom ennek a teának a finom jázminillatát.
The artist used subtle shades of blue to create a calm feeling.
The wine has a subtle aroma of berries and spices.
There is a subtle sweetness in the bread from the honey.
Learner examples
This cake has a subtle taste of orange.
Ennek a süteménynek finom narancsíze van.
I like the subtle smell of the flowers.
Szeretem a virágok finom illatát.
The room has a subtle color on the walls.
The coffee has a subtle flavor, not too strong.
There is a subtle smell of smoke in the air.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "weak" instead of "subtle" for taste or smell, which can sound negative. "Subtle" usually suggests a pleasant, gentle quality, not something lacking power in a bad way.
Meaning
delicate and not strong (senses)
Collocations
subtle flavor
|subtle taste
|subtle scent
|subtle aroma
|subtle fragrance
|subtle shade
Synonyms
delicate (Emphasizes lightness and fineness; does not always imply difficulty in noticing in a cognitive sense.)
Antonyms
strong (For tastes, smells, or colors, means powerful and easy to notice, the opposite of gentle and light.)
Themes
food
|senses
|art
|food_drink
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Having a light taste, smell, color, or other feeling that is nice but not strong.
Having a delicate, gentle quality in taste, smell, color, or similar sensations, so that it is pleasant but not strong or intense.
C1
LITERARY
5
fondorlatos
C1
alattomos
B2
Usage pattern:
a subtle [plan/strategy/move] to [do something]
The dictator used subtle methods to silence his critics.
A diktátor fondorlatos módszerekkel hallgattatta el bírálóit.
It was a subtle plan to weaken his rival without appearing aggressive.
Fondorlatos terv volt, hogy úgy gyengítse meg a riválisát, hogy közben ne tűnjön agresszívnek.
The contract contains a subtle trick that could cost you a lot of money.
Her questions were subtle, slowly leading him to reveal more than he wanted.
The company employed a subtle strategy to push out smaller competitors.
Learner examples
The boss used a subtle plan to remove his partner.
A főnök fondorlatos tervet eszelt ki, hogy félreállítsa a társát.
It was a subtle way to control the team.
Ez alattomos módja volt annak, hogy irányítsa a csapatot.
The scam was very subtle, so many people did not see it.
He asked subtle questions to get my personal information.
They used a subtle strategy to win the deal.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this sense is always positive because of other meanings of "subtle." In this context, it often has a negative feeling, suggesting quiet, clever manipulation or trickery.
Meaning
cleverly and secretly deceptive
Collocations
subtle plan
|subtle strategy
|subtle form of manipulation
|subtle way of controlling
|subtle political move
Synonyms
cunning (Strongly suggests clever trickery; often more negative or moralistic than "subtle".)
Antonyms
transparent (Open and easy to see through; not hiding motives or methods.)
Themes
behavior
|politics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Clever in a quiet and secret way that can trick people or give you an advantage.
Using clever, indirect, and often hidden methods to deceive others or to gain an advantage, especially in a quiet or hard-to-detect way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
subtle
IPA
GB/sˈʌtəl/
US/sˈʌtəl/
Syllables & stress
subtle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (subtle)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: subtle
- Comparative: subtler
- Superlative: subtlest
Word family
Forms
subtler
adjective
subtlest
adjective
Core family
subtly
adverb B2
subtlety
noun
Advanced or less common
subtleness
noun
Expressions
subtle change
1/sˈʌtəl t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
a small, hard-to-notice change
A change that is not big or clear, so people may not see it at first.
Examples
- Over time, there has been a subtle change in public opinion.
- She made a subtle change to her hairstyle that only close friends noticed.
subtle difference
1/sˈʌtəl dˈɪfɹəns/
fixed phrase
a small, hard-to-see difference
A difference that is not big or clear, so you need to look or think carefully to see it.
Examples
- There is a subtle difference between being confident and being arrogant.
- To experts, the two models have several subtle differences in design.
subtle flavor
1/sˈʌtəl flˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
a gentle, light taste
A taste that is nice but not strong, so you notice it only when you pay attention.
Examples
- The soup has a subtle flavor of garlic.
- This tea has a subtle flavor that grows stronger as you drink it.
subtle hint
1/sˈʌtəl hˈɪnt/
fixed phrase
an indirect, gentle suggestion
A quiet, indirect way of telling someone something without saying it clearly.
Examples
- Was that a subtle hint that you want to go home?
- He dropped a subtle hint about wanting a promotion.
subtle shade
1/sˈʌtəl ʃˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
a small, delicate color difference
A color that is only a little different from another color, and the difference is not easy to see.
Examples
- The painter used subtle shades of green to create depth.
- There is a subtle shade of pink in the sky at dawn.
subtle shift
1/sˈʌtəl ʃˈɪft/
fixed phrase
a small change in direction or attitude
A small, often slow change in how something is done, understood, or felt.
Examples
- There has been a subtle shift in the company's marketing strategy.
- We can see a subtle shift in the tone of the conversation.
subtle smile
1/sˈʌtəl smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
a small, slight smile
A small smile that is not very easy to see, often showing a quiet feeling.
Examples
- A subtle smile appeared on her face when she heard the news.
- He gave a subtle smile that only his friends noticed.
the subtle art of
1/ðə sˈʌtəl ˈɑɹt əv/
fixed phrase
a refined and complex skill
A skill that is difficult and needs careful, detailed understanding and practice to do well.
Examples
- He mastered the subtle art of negotiation.
- Parenting requires learning the subtle art of saying no with love.