English pronunciation · Words Starting with S
Subtle Pronunciation
Subtle is pronounced SUH-tuhl, IPA /ˈsətəl/.
SUH-tuhl
US /ˈsətəl/ · UK /ˈsʌtəl/
Syllables: SUH · tuhl (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: So slight or delicate that it is easy to miss.
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Subtle in a Sentence
- There is a subtle difference between the two shades.
- His hint was not remotely subtle.
- A subtle smell of smoke hung in the hall.
Common Mispronunciations of Subtle
Not SUHB-tuhl
That b is silent, put back into the spelling by scholars who wanted the word to look more Latin.
Not SUHT-lee
The le ending gives tuhl, so the word rhymes with cuttle and shuttle.
Tip: The noun subtlety keeps the silent b as well, SUH-tuhl-tee.
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