a.

1. 微妙的，难捉摸的，不可思议的
   She smiled a subtle smile.

   她神秘地笑了笑。

2. 纤细的；微微的；隐约的
   I noticed a subtle change in his attitude.

   我注意到他的态度发生了微妙的变化。

3. 精巧的，精湛的；精良的
   Jimmy was a subtle worker in gold and silver.

   吉米是一个技艺精湛的金银匠。

4. 狡猾的；诡秘的
   This enabled us to see through their subtle scheme.

   这使我们得以识破他们的诡计。

5. 不知不觉中起作用的
   a subtle poison

   慢性毒药

6. 细心的，敏锐的
   The novelist has a subtle insight into human nature.

   那位小说家对人性具有敏锐的眼力。

adj.

1. so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe:
   a subtle distinction.
   ▸capable of making fine distinctions.
   ▸delicately complex and understated:

   subtle lighting.
2. making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something.
3. archaic crafty; cunning.