intimate

¹

[ in-tuh-mit ]

adjective

1. associated in close personal relations:

   an intimate friend.

   Synonyms: dear

2. characterized by or involving warm friendship or a personally close or familiar association or feeling:

   an intimate greeting.

3. very private; closely personal:

   one's intimate affairs.

   Synonyms: secret, confidential

4. characterized by or suggesting an atmosphere conducive to privacy or intimacy; warmly cozy:

   an intimate little café where we can relax and talk.

5. (of an association, knowledge, understanding, etc.) arising from close personal connection or familiar experience.
6. engaged in or characterized by sexual relations:

   too young to handle an intimate relationship.

7. (of women's clothing) worn next to the skin, under street or outer garments:

   a store that sells intimate apparel.

8. detailed; deep:

   a more intimate analysis.

   Synonyms: profound, thorough, in-depth, exhaustive

9. showing a close union or combination of particles or elements:

   an intimate mixture.

10. inmost; deep within.
11. of, relating to, or characteristic of the inmost or essential nature; intrinsic:

    the intimate structure of an organism.

12. of, relating to, or existing in the inmost depths of the mind:

    intimate beliefs.

noun

1. an intimate friend or associate, especially a confidant.

   Synonyms: crony

intimate

²

[ in-tuh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ti·mat·ed, in·ti·mat·ing.

1. to indicate or make known indirectly; hint; imply; suggest.
2. Archaic. to make known; announce.

intimate

¹

/ ˈɪntɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to hint; suggest
2. to proclaim; make known

intimate

²

/ ˈɪntɪmɪt /

adjective

1. characterized by a close or warm personal relationship

   an intimate friend

2. deeply personal, private, or secret
3. euphemistic.
   often postpositivefoll bywith having sexual relations (with)
4. 1. postpositivefoll bywith having a deep or unusual knowledge (of)
   2. (of knowledge) deep; extensive
5. having a friendly, warm, or informal atmosphere

   an intimate nightclub

6. of or relating to the essential part or nature of something; intrinsic
7. denoting the informal second person of verbs and pronouns in French and other languages

noun

1. a close friend

Derived Forms

• ˈintiˌmater, noun
• ˈintimately, adverb
• ˈintimateness, noun

Other Words From

• in·ti·mate·ly adverb
• in·ti·mate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimate¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin intimātus, past participle of intimāre “to announce, make known,” derivative of intimus “inmost, most intimate”; intima

Origin of intimate²

First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin intimātus, past participle of intimāre “to impress (upon), make known,” equivalent to intim(us) “inmost” ( intima ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimate¹

C16: from Late Latin intimāre to proclaim, from Latin intimus innermost

Origin of intimate²

C17: from Latin intimus very close friend, from (adj): innermost, deepest, from intus within

Synonym Study

See familiar.

See hint.

Example Sentences

We wanted it to be warm, we wanted it to be kind, we wanted it to be casual, and intimate.

From Vox

These are some of our favorite intimate encounters set in these close quarters.

From Washington Post

The perpetrator had uploaded these non-intimate images—holiday and pregnancy photos and even pictures of her as a teenager—and encouraged other users to edit her face into violent pornographic photos.

From MIT Technology Review

Legend love his fans too and to celebrate them, he’s hosting an intimate “Weekend Of Love” Valentine’s Day themed event on Instagram.

From Essence.com

The intimate story of Glaser’s subjects makes her book compelling, but the societal dots she’s able to connect make it important.

From Washington Post

The Strange Social History of Our Most Intimate Institution.

From The Daily Beast

Literature in the 14th century, Strohm points out, was an intimate, interactive affair.

From The Daily Beast

She suggested that Gregory stack newspapers on his desk to give the set an intimate, coffeehouse feel.

From The Daily Beast

But my favorites, and by far the most intimate photos at the gallery, are by Jimmy Steinfeld.

From The Daily Beast

It offers keen insights into Hitch's craft while painting an intimate and unsentimental picture of the man behind the camera.

From The Daily Beast

They were still talking of the poem and the music, exchanging intimate thoughts in the language he could not understand.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, these are only a few intimate friends who have assembled to celebrate my daughter's fte-day.

From Project Gutenberg

Your most intimate friend arrived in Paris, and you choose the next day to make a little tour!

From Project Gutenberg

When the service was over, they walked leisurely homeward, and their conversation became more intimate.

From Project Gutenberg

Our friendship was close and intimate, such as is formed in the warmth of youth and which the grave alone dissolves.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confidential
• detailed
• firsthand
• in-depth
• penetrating
• profound
• visceral