Basic Details
Word: Subtle
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not easy to notice or understand; very slight or delicate.
Synonyms: Faint, understated, delicate
Antonyms: Obvious, blatant, noticeable
Idioms and Phrases
- Subtle as a brick: Used to describe something that is unrefined or lacking in delicacy. Example: "His comment about her dress was subtle as a brick; it made everyone uncomfortable."
- Make a subtle point: To express a delicate or nuanced idea without being direct. Example: "In her speech, she made a subtle point about the importance of kindness."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The artist used subtle colours in his painting, creating a soft and calming effect.
Example 2: She could detect a subtle change in his tone, hinting that something was wrong.
Example 3: The subtle flavour of the herbs made the dish even more delicious.
Fun Fact
The word "subtle" comes from the Latin word "subtilis," which means "fine" or "sensitive." Over time, it evolved in English to describe things that are not immediately obvious or easy to detect.
Famous Quote
"We often miss subtle messages and don't listen to what is unspoken." - John O'Donohue
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "subtle" mean?
a) Very obvious
b) Difficult to notice
c) Extremely loud
d) Quite large
Answer: b) Difficult to notice
2. Which of these is a synonym of "subtle"?
a) Blatant
b) Faint
c) Obvious
d) Loud
Answer: b) Faint
3. Which word is an antonym of "subtle"?
a) Delicate
b) Blatant
c) Understated
d) Nuanced
Answer: b) Blatant
4. Which sentence uses "subtle" correctly?
a) The subtle hints in her story made it hard to understand what she meant.
b) His subtle laughter echoed through the room.
c) She painted in subtle shades that stood out vibrantly.
d) The subtle announcement was made loudly to everyone.
Answer: a) The subtle hints in her story made it hard to understand what she meant.
5. Which idiom relates to "subtle"?
a) Subtle as a brick
b) As bright as a button
c) Like finding a needle in a haystack
d) Every cloud has a silver lining
Answer: a) Subtle as a brick
