Pronunciation guide
How to pronounce subtle
SUT-ul - two syllables, exactly like 'suttle'; the 'b' is silent
US/ˈsʌtəl/
sʌtəl
UK/ˈsʌtl/
sʌtl
New to IPA symbols? Read the IPA guide.
Common mistake
The 'b' is silent - 'SUT-ul', not 'SUB-tul'.
What “subtle” means
Of an action or movement: very delicate or slight, and thus barely noticeable; not obvious; inconspicuous, unintrusive.
Having a delicate or fine substance or texture; hence, exquisite, refined.
In a sentence
- The difference between the tones is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
- She made a subtle change to the seasoning that improved the dish.
Definitions and examples are derived from Wiktionary, used under CC BY-SA 4.0, then edited by QuickPronounce. Pronunciation data draws on CMUdict.