From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsubtletysub‧tle‧ty /ˈsʌtlti/ noun (plural subtleties) 1 [uncountable]INTELLIGENT the quality that something has when it has been done in a clever or skilful way, with careful attention to small details The play lacks subtlety. She argued her case with considerable subtlety.2 [countable usually plural]OBVIOUS# a thought, idea, or detail that is important but difficult to notice or understandsubtlety of Some of the subtleties of the language are lost in translation.
Examples from the Corpus
subtlety• When Childs and Bodnar first presented their ideas to the group of developers, there was a subtlety and lightness about them.• At press conferences, he is a master of tact and subtlety.• Watercolours of a very delicate or atmospheric style will exhibit greater subtlety when painted on Hot Pressed surfaces.• To appreciate all of this beauty relies upon your noticing its subtleties.• The subtlety of mental processing is due to the layout of links between neurones.• Those who seek to lead must act with subtlety and caution or they will meet with strong negative reactions.• In fact, lobbyists tend to be more effective with subtlety than with threats.subtlety of• Some of the subtleties of the language are lost in translation. 