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, 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)

intimated, intimating 

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

2. Archaic.,  to make known; announce.

intimate

¹

/ ˈɪntɪmɪt /

adjective

1. characterized by a close or warm personal relationship

   an intimate friend

2. deeply personal, private, or secret

3. euphemistic,  having sexual relations (with)

4. 1. 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

intimate

²

/ ˈɪntɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to hint; suggest

2. to proclaim; make known

Other Word Forms

• intimateness noun
• intimately adverb
• intimater noun
• intimation noun
• preintimation 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

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

Origin of intimate²

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

Synonym Study

See familiar.

See hint.

Example Sentences

Birkin’s surviving daughters and friends, who might have offered a more intimate glimpse of her, did not cooperate with Ms. Meltzer.

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Adjoining them are even more intimate rooms, or “niches,” for Calder’s smaller sculptures.

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Breaking the fourth wall is something Ms. Case returns to periodically, which helps make her stories feel as intimate as conversations.

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But for all the calculated cruelty and blind ignorance, there is a humorous angle to the conditions on Parris Island: The intimate living conditions, the constant showering, the “blouses,” the “mounting.”

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Last year, BP ordered all staff to disclose intimate relationships at work and mandated that senior leaders disclose any office romances over the previous three years.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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