subtlety

/ˈsʌɾəlti/

/ˈsʌtəlti/

Other forms: subtleties

Subtlety is the quality of being understated, delicate, or nuanced. You can really appreciate the subtlety of your gothic friend's art if you can distinguish among many different shades of black.

The Latin root of subtle and subtlety originally meant "finely woven" and was used to describe fabric. The subtlety of an argument is in the fine weave of the words and thoughts that it is made up of. When translating, you often lose the subtleties of the original language, the interlacing of word, idea and connotation. When you're trying to persuade your parents of something, subtlety might get you further than outright demands.

Definitions of subtlety

1. noun

   the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
   “you had to admire the subtlety of the distinctions he drew”

   synonyms: niceness

   type of:

   difficultness, difficulty

   the quality of being difficult
2. noun

   a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
   synonyms: nicety, nuance, refinement, shade

   type of:

   import, meaning, significance, signification

   the message that is intended or expressed or signified