Subtle vs Gradual - What's the difference?
subtle | gradual |
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.
Proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow.
* Milton
(Roman Catholic Church) An antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the Mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.
(Roman Catholic Church) A service book containing the musical portions of the Mass.
As adjectives the difference between subtle and gradual
is that subtle is hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable while gradual is proceeding by steps or small degrees; advancing step by step, as in ascent or descent or from one state to another; regularly progressive; slow.As a noun gradual is
(roman catholic church) an antiphon or responsory after the epistle, in the mass, which was sung on the steps, or while the deacon ascended the steps.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.
Synonyms
* crafty, cunning, skillful * (insidious) insidiousAntonyms
* (hard to grasp) simpleDerived terms
* subtle body * subtleness * subtlety * subtlyReferences
* * *Anagrams
* * * *gradual
English
Alternative forms
* graduall (obsolete)Adjective
(en adjective)- a gradual''' increase of knowledge; a '''gradual decline
- Creatures animate with gradual life / Of growth, sense, reason, all summed up in man.