[header] How to tell the difference between subtle, subtly and subtlety [title] Use subtle as an adjective. [step] The word " subtle " describes a noun that is difficult to notice or understand. Here are a few example sentences : [substeps] The dresses are all wonderful, but their colours have subtle differences between them. 
My mother's warning glance was a subtle hint that i should change the topic. The painting looks drab at first, but there is a subtle beauty in the pattern of brushstrokes.