Nuanced vs Subtle - What's the difference?
nuanced | subtle |
Having nuances; possessed of multiple layers of detail, pattern, or meaning
* 1989 , R. Kent Hughes,
* 1998 , Meredith Parsons Lillich,
Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
(of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
(of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
insidious
* 1623 , , act iv, scene 4,
Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.
As adjectives the difference between nuanced and subtle
is that nuanced is having nuances; possessed of multiple layers of detail, pattern, or meaning while subtle is hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.nuanced
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- The setting sunlight played through the gently waving branches, creating subtly nuanced transitions of color and tone as the shadows swept back and forth in the rosy glow.
Preaching the Word: 1-9:1:
- I would like to have heard his intonation delicately nuanced so as to carry the greatest punch. I would like to have seen the changes of expression that played across his face as he spoke.''
The Queen of Sicily and Gothic Stained Glass in Mussy and Tonnerre:
- ...the pattern normally straightens into an almost pure latticework of identical quarries and the foliage painting becomes much more nuanced and delicate.
subtle
English
Alternative forms
* subtil (obsolete) * subtile (obsolete)Adjective
(er)- The difference is subtle , but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
- Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle , bloody, treacherous.