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Subtle vs Precise - What's the difference?

subtle | precise |

As an adjective subtle

is hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.

As a verb precise is

.

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

    * * * *

    precise

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Exact, accurate.
  • *
  • (sciences) Of experimental results, consistent, clustered close together, agreeing with each other. This does not mean that they cluster near the true, correct, or accurate value.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=76, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= Snakes and ladders , passage=Risk is everywhere.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * inexact, imprecise * (consistent) inconsistent, varying

    Derived terms

    * prissy

    Anagrams

    * ----