Subtlety (Noun)
Meaning 1
The quality of being difficult to detect or analyze; "you had to admire the subtlety of the distinctions he drew".
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The subtlety of the flavors in the dish was impressive, with each ingredient complementing the others in a delicate balance.
- Her poems are known for their subtlety, requiring close reading to unravel the complex emotions and themes.
- The artist's use of light and shadow added a level of subtlety to the portrait, creating a sense of depth and nuance.
- The movie's exploration of social class was handled with subtlety, avoiding heavy-handed tropes and stereotypes.
- The detective's years of experience had honed her sense of subtlety, allowing her to pick up on tiny details that others might miss.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
A subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude; "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The subtlety of her tone was lost on her brother, who took her words at face value.
- The subtlety of the poet's language requires close reading to fully appreciate its meaning.
- The subtlety of the artist's use of color is what sets her work apart from others in the same genre.
- The subtlety of the difference between the two policies was not immediately apparent to the general public.
- The subtlety of the director's approach to the subject matter added depth and complexity to the film.