Standard Lemma guide

subtleness

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The property of being subtle, of avoiding brute force and instead being clever or skillful.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • The movie was praised for the subtleness of its themes. None of it came off as being too preachy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English sotilnes; equivalent to subtle + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: subtiliteit — property of being subtle
  • German: Hintergründigkeit — property of being subtle
  • German: Subtilität — property of being subtle
  • German: Nuanciertheit — property of being subtle
  • German: Zwischentöne — property of being subtle
  • Polish: subtelność — property of being subtle
  • Polish: delikatność — property of being subtle