subtly
gb/sˈʌtəli/ us/sˈʌtəli/
B2
Anglais
finoman, burkoltan, kissé, enyhén
B2
1
Schéma d’usage :
subtly + [verb/adjective] (e.g., subtly [suggest], subtly [wrong])
The ad subtly suggests that you’ll be happier if you buy the product.
A reklám burkoltan azt sugallja, hogy boldogabb leszel, ha megveszed a terméket.
She subtly shifted the conversation away from the awkward topic.
Finoman elterelte a beszélgetést a kínos témáról.
The film subtly criticizes the way power is used.
Exemples pédagogiques
He subtly hinted that he wanted to leave.
Finoman célzott rá, hogy el akar menni.
The color changes subtly in the light.
A szín finoman változik a fényben.
Erreur fréquente :
Often misspelled as “subtlely” (correct: “subtly”).
Sens
in a not obvious way
Collocations
subtly suggest
|subtly imply
|subtly hint
|subtly undermine
|subtly change
|subtly shift
|subtly different
|subtly wrong
|subtly alter
|subtly signal
Synonymes
indirectly (Focuses on not saying or doing something openly.)
|
quietly (Emphasizes a low-key, unobtrusive effect.)
|
discreetly (Suggests carefulness to avoid attention or offense.)
Antonymes
openly (Done in a direct, public way.)
|
blatantly (Done in a very obvious, often rude way.)
Thèmes
communication
|writing
|social_interaction
Définition
In a way that is hard to notice or not said directly.
In a way that is not immediately noticeable, direct, or easy to recognize or understand.
B2
2
Schéma d’usage :
subtly + [adjective/verb] (e.g., subtly [sweet], subtly [updated])
The recipe has been subtly adjusted to reduce the sugar.
A receptet kissé módosították, hogy kevesebb cukor legyen benne.
Her accent is subtly different from her sister’s.
A kiejtése kissé különbözik a nővéréétől.
The room was subtly scented with jasmine.
Exemples pédagogiques
The taste is subtly sweet.
Az íze enyhén édes.
The new version is subtly better.
Az új változat kissé jobb.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may choose “slightly” when they mean an effect that is small but carefully noticeable; “subtly” often implies nuance.
Sens
to a small degree
Collocations
subtly different
|subtly flavored
|subtly sweet
|subtly spicy
|subtly textured
|subtly shaded
|subtly updated
|subtly improved
|subtly altered
|subtly varied
Synonymes
slightly (Neutral and purely about small degree.)
|
faintly (Often used for weak sensations like light, sound, or smell.)
|
marginally (Common in comparisons and measurements.)
Antonymes
dramatically (By a large amount or with a strong effect.)
|
strongly (With clear intensity or force.)
Thèmes
description
|food
|design
Définition
A little; not strongly or clearly.
To a small extent, producing a slight but meaningful difference rather than a strong or obvious one.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
subtly
API
GB/sˈʌtəli/
US/sˈʌtəli/
Syllabes et accentuation
subtly (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (subtly)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: subtly
- Plural: subtlies
Expressions
to put it subtly
1/tə pˈʊt ˈɪt sˈʌtəli/
fixed phrase
say something in an understated way
Used before a statement to say it in a polite, indirect way.
Exemples
- To put it subtly, your presentation needs more work.
- The project is behind schedule— to put it subtly.
- To put it subtly, his comment wasn’t helpful.
Exemples pédagogiques
- To put it subtly, I disagree.
- To put it subtly, we need a new plan.