subtle

US: /ˈsətəɫ/
UK: /sˈʌtə‍l/


English Vietnamese dictionary


subtle /'sʌtl/
  • tính từ
    • phảng phất
      • a subtle perfume: mùi thơm phảng phất
    • huyền ảo
      • a subtle charm: sức hấp dẫn huyền ảo
    • khó thấy, tinh vi, tinh tế, tế nhị
      • a subtle distinction: sự phân biệt tế nhị
    • khôn khéo, khôn ngoan, lanh lợi, tin nhanh
      • subtle device: phương sách khôn khéo
      • subtle workman: công nhân lành nghề
      • subtle fingers: những ngón tay khéo léo
      • a subtle mind: óc tinh nhanh
    • xảo quyệt, quỷ quyệt
      • a subtle enemy: kẻ thù xảo quyệt
    • (từ cổ,nghĩa cổ) mỏng
      • a subtle vapour: lớp hơi nước mỏng

Advanced English dictionary


+ adjective (subtler, subtlest)
Help Note: more subtle is also common.
1 (often approving) not very noticeable or obvious: subtle colours / flavours + subtle changes / differences / distinctions + The fragrance is a subtle blend of jasmine and sandalwood. + She's been dropping subtle hints about what she'd like as a present.
2 (of a person or their behaviour) behaving in a clever way, and using indirect methods, in order to achieve sth: There was nothing subtle or sophisticated about him. + I decided to try a more subtle approach.
3 organized in a clever way: a subtle strategy / plan / technique + a subtle use of lighting in the play
4 good at noticing and understanding things: The job required a subtle mind.
subtly adverb: Her version of events is subtly different from what actually happened. + Not very subtly, he raised the subject of money. + Government policy has already shifted subtly.

Thesaurus dictionary


adj.
1 delicate, fine, refined, exquisite, nice, Archaic subtile:
I became aware, almost subconsciously, of the subtle odour of jasmine. These subtle shades of green are so peaceful.
2 abstruse, arcane, recondite, remote, deep, profound, concealed, hidden, shadowy, nebulous, vague, obscure, veiled, thin, airy, insubstantial, elusive, faint; sophistic(al):
The symbolism is so subtle as to be meaningful to the poet alone. A subtle hint gave me to understand that I ought to go.
3 tricky, shrewd, cunning, wily, sly, devious, crafty, smart, clever, foxy, artful, scheming, designing, underhand(ed), deceptive, Jesuitical, Machiavellian, ingenious, skilful, strategic, insidious, casuistic, shifty, slick, slimy, Chiefly Brit smarmy:
You were a fool to allow that subtle serpent to insinuate himself into your confidence.

Collocation dictionary


VERBS

be, seem | become

ADV.

extraordinarily, extremely, very | infinitely
making infinitely subtle distinctions
| not exactly, not too
He was not exactly subtle about it!
| fairly, quite, rather


Concise English dictionary


subtler|subtlest'sʌtl
adj.
+be difficult to detect or grasp by the mind
+faint and difficult to analyze
+able to make fine distinctions
+working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way