How to pronounce subtlety
Say it like SUHT-ul-tee. Subtlety has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce subtlety. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SUHT
- ul
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Subtlety pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SUHTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- ulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of subtlety
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: SUHT-ul-tee.
What does subtlety mean?
- The quality of being scarcely noticeable or difficult to discern. (of things)“the subtlety of the Mona Lisa’s smile”
- The quality of being done in a clever way that is not obvious or not direct; the quality of being carefully thought out. (of things)“the subtlety of a writer’s analysis / of a singer’s phrasing”
- The quality of being able to achieve one's aims through clever, delicate or indirect methods. (of people)“With all his usual subtlety, he quietly fixed the problem before anyone else noticed it.”
Where does subtlety come from?
From Middle English sotilte, from Old French sutilté, inherited from Latin subtīlitās, from subtīlis (“subtle”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying subtlety
How do you pronounce subtlety?
Say SUHT-ul-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˈsʌtəlti/. In British English it is /ˈsʌtəlti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in subtlety?
Subtlety has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUHT). Broken into parts: SUHT · ul · tee.
Is subtlety pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈsʌtəlti/ (SUHT-ul-tee).