Subtle, as an adjective, refers to something that is delicate, elusive, or not immediately obvious. It denotes a quality that is nuanced, refined, or cleverly concealed, requiring a keen perception or insight to be fully understood or appreciated. Subtle elements are often characterized by their understated nature, making them less overt and more open to interpretation.
Sample Sentences:
- The artist used subtle shades of color to create a gentle and harmonious atmosphere in the painting.
- Her subtle gesture conveyed more meaning than words ever could.
- The subtle scent of flowers wafted through the air as spring arrived.
- In his writing, the author employed subtle hints to build suspense and engage the reader.
- The comedian’s humor was appreciated by those who enjoyed subtle wit and clever wordplay.
- The changes in the company’s strategy were subtle but had a significant impact on its success.
- The subtle nuance in her voice revealed the underlying emotion in her words.
- The chef added subtle spices to enhance the flavor without overpowering the dish.
- The detective noticed a subtle change in the suspect’s demeanor during the interrogation.
- The film’s soundtrack contained subtle melodies that heightened the emotional impact of key scenes.
Synonyms (English – Indonesian):
- Muted – Suram
- Indirect – Tidak langsung
- Unobtrusive – Tidak mencolok
- Nuanced – Bermakna
- Gradual – Bertahap
- Slight – Sedikit
- Faint – Samar
- Elusive – Sulit ditangkap
- Delicate – Halus
- Cautious – Berhati-hati
Antonyms (English – Indonesian):
- Obvious – Jelas
- Blatant – Terang-terangan
- Overt – Terbuka
- Clear – Jelas
- Explicit – Tegas
- Evident – Nyata
- Conspicuous – Nyata
- Pronounced – Nyata
- Obtrusive – Mencolok
- Plain – Sederhana
Derived Words (English – Indonesian):
- Subtly – Secara halus
- Subtlety – Kelembutan
Related Words (English – Indonesian):
- Understated – Tidak berlebihan
- Cerebral – Cerdas
- Intricate – Rumit
- Discerning – Peka
- Tactful – Bijaksana
Phrasal Verbs (English – Indonesian):
- Bring out subtly – Mengungkapkan dengan halus
- Hint subtly – Memberikan petunjuk dengan halus
- Convey subtly – Menyampaikan dengan halus
Common Expressions (English – Indonesian):
- “A subtle touch” – “Sentuhan yang halus”
- “Subtle nuances” – “Nuansa yang halus”
- “Subtle beauty” – “Kecantikan yang halus”
Related Idioms (English – Indonesian):
- “Subtle as a whisper” – “Halus seperti bisikan”
- “Subtle as a breeze” – “Halus seperti angin sepoi-sepoi”