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Spell Bee Word: Subtle


What does subtle mean?

Word: Subtle

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Subtle means so slight or faint that it is not easy to notice, like a soft smell or a small change. It can also describe a clever, quiet way of doing something.

Synonyms: slight, faint, delicate

How do you spell subtle?

Syllables: sub - tle

Tricky part: The b is silent: we say sut-l, but the b borrowed from Latin is still written.

Watch out for: sutle, suttle, sudtle

Memory tip: The b in subtle is being subtle itself: it sits quietly in the word and never makes a sound.

Subtle in a sentence

Example 1: There was a subtle change in the sky just before the storm.

Example 2: Papa gave me a subtle nod to tell me it was time to leave.

Example 3: The painting uses subtle shades of blue that look almost grey.

Fun Fact

In Middle English the word was spelt sotil, with no b. Writers later added the b to make it look like the Latin subtilis.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word: subtle

a) hidden
b) obvious
c) gentle
d) mild

Show answer

b) obvious. Something obvious jumps out at you; something subtle hardly shows.

Word Cookie

Find the misspelt word in the sentence:

The chef added a subtel hint of cardamom that most guests did not even notice.

a) chef
b) guests
c) cardamom
d) subtel

Show answer

d) subtel. Subtle ends in tle, the same way little and bottle do.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the correctly spelt word:

a) rehersal
b) seperate
c) priviledge
d) subtle

Show answer

d) subtle. Rehearsal, privilege and separate each hide a classic slip here; subtle is spelt right.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The adverb made from subtle is spelt ____.

a) subtley
b) subtly
c) subtlely
d) subtlly

Show answer

b) subtly

2. Sana gave a subtle hint that she wanted the last biscuit. She most likely ____.

a) grabbed it from the plate
b) shouted that it was hers
c) wrote a sign about it
d) glanced at the plate and smiled

Show answer

d) glanced at the plate and smiled

Associated Words

Words that end in -tle: thistle, wrestle, apostle, bristle, trestle, entitle

Related words on the Spell Bee lists: faint, delicate

More words from this list

widespread, applaud, citizenship, designate, eyewitness, imagination, motivate, professional

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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