What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Immaterial vs Subtle - What's the difference?

immaterial | subtle |

As adjectives the difference between immaterial and subtle

is that immaterial is having no matter or substance while subtle is hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.

immaterial

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having no matter or substance.
    • Because ghosts are immaterial , they can pass through walls.
  • Irrelevant.
    • Objection, Your Honour! The defendant's criminal record is immaterial to this case.

    Antonyms

    * material

    subtle

    English

    Alternative forms

    * subtil (obsolete) * subtile (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
    • The difference is subtle , but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
  • (of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
  • (of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
  • insidious
  • * 1623 , , act iv, scene 4,
    • Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle , bloody, treacherous.
  • Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.

    • Synonyms

    * crafty, cunning, skillful * (insidious) insidious

    Antonyms

    * (hard to grasp) simple

    Derived terms

    * subtle body * subtleness * subtlety * subtly

    References

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * * * *