intimacy

[in-tuh-muh-see]

noun

plural

intimacies 

1. the state of being intimate.

2. a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person or group.

   Synonyms: affection, warmth, familiarity, closeness

3. a close association with or detailed knowledge or deep understanding of a place, subject, period of history, etc..

   an intimacy with Japan.

4. an act or expression serving as a token of familiarity, affection, or the like.

   to allow the intimacy of using first names.

5. an amorously familiar act; liberty.

6. sexual intercourse.

7. the quality of being comfortable, warm, or familiar.

   the intimacy of the room.

8. privacy, especially as suitable to the telling of a secret.

   in the intimacy of his studio.

intimacy

/ ˈɪntɪməsɪ /

noun

1. close or warm friendship or understanding; personal relationship

2. euphemistic,  (often plural) sexual relations

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimacy¹

First recorded in 1635–45; intim(ate) ¹ + -acy

Example Sentences

Some classically trained theatre actors, particularly back then, didn't appreciate how much they needed to adjust their performance for the intimacy of a camera.

Read more on BBC

The point is to “experience its intimacy” and mull the questions the artist raises about its intangible value as art beyond the materials used to make it, he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As they settle in to living together—while keeping as much distance as possible between them on that couch—they try to steer clear of both intimacy and discussion of old family wounds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Gardenia, which opened in 1981, is one of the few venues in L.A. specifically designed for the intimacy of cabaret.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

If you were familiar with the old museum, the enormous new one—which at times feels inhospitable to the intimacies art requires—may be more than disorienting.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affection 
• confidence 
• confidentiality www.thesaurus.com
• familiarity 
• friendship 
• understanding