intimate

[ in-tuh-mit ]

See synonyms for: intimate intimated intimates intimating on Thesaurus.com

adjective

associated in close personal relations: an intimate friend.
characterized by or involving warm friendship or a personally close or familiar association or feeling: an intimate greeting.

very private; closely personal: one's intimate affairs.
characterized by or suggesting an atmosphere conducive to privacy or intimacy; warmly cozy: an intimate little café where we can relax and talk.
(of an association, knowledge, understanding, etc.) arising from close personal connection or familiar experience.
engaged in or characterized by sexual relations: too young to handle an intimate relationship.
(of women's clothing) worn next to the skin, under street or outer garments: a store that sells intimate apparel.
detailed; deep: a more intimate analysis.
showing a close union or combination of particles or elements: an intimate mixture.
inmost; deep within.
of, relating to, or characteristic of the inmost or essential nature; intrinsic: the intimate structure of an organism.
of, relating to, or existing in the inmost depths of the mind: intimate beliefs.

noun

an intimate friend or associate, especially a confidant.

Origin of intimate

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

synonym study For intimate

1. See familiar.

Other words for intimate

1	dear
3	confidential, secret
8	exhaustive, in-depth, thorough; profound
13	crony

See synonyms for intimate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from intimate

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

Words Nearby intimate

Other definitions for intimate (2 of 2)

intimate²

[ in-tuh-meyt ]

verb (used with object),in·ti·mat·ed, in·ti·mat·ing.

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

Origin of intimate

First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin intimātus, past participle of intimāre “to impress (upon), make known,” equivalent to intim(us) “inmost” (see intima) + -ātus -ate¹

synonym study For intimate

1. See hint.

Other words from intimate

in·ti·mat·er, noun
in·ti·ma·tion [in-tuh-mey-shuhn], /ˌɪn təˈmeɪ ʃən/, noun
pre·in·ti·ma·tion, noun

Words that may be confused with intimate

intimate , intimidate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intimate in a sentence

We wanted it to be warm, we wanted it to be kind, we wanted it to be casual, and intimate.
How Hallmark is handling pandemic Valentine’s Day | Luke Winkie | February 12, 2021 | Vox
These are some of our favorite intimate encounters set in these close quarters.
What floor? | Sophia Nguyen | February 12, 2021 | 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.
Deepfake porn is ruining women’s lives. Now the law may finally ban it | Karen Hao | February 12, 2021 | 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.
John Legend Wants To Help You Get Romantic This Weekend | Charli Penn | February 11, 2021 | 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.
For a mother forced to give up her child, decades of grief, shame and secrets | Ellen McCarthy | February 5, 2021 | Washington Post

The Strange Social History of Our Most intimate Institution.
The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality | E.J. Graff | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Literature in the 14th century, Strohm points out, was an intimate, interactive affair.
A Year In The Life of The Canterbury Tales’ Storied Beginnings | Wendy Smith | December 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
She suggested that Gregory stack newspapers on his desk to give the set an intimate, coffeehouse feel.
David Gregory's 'Meet the Press' Eviction Exposed in Washingtonian Takedown | Lloyd Grove | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But my favorites, and by far the most intimate photos at the gallery, are by Jimmy Steinfeld.
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings | Melissa Leon | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It offers keen insights into Hitch's craft while painting an intimate and unsentimental picture of the man behind the camera.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They were still talking of the poem and the music, exchanging intimate thoughts in the language he could not understand.
The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
Besides, these are only a few intimate friends who have assembled to celebrate my daughter's fte-day.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 | Various
Your most intimate friend arrived in Paris, and you choose the next day to make a little tour!
Confidence | Henry James
When the service was over, they walked leisurely homeward, and their conversation became more intimate.
The Homesteader | Oscar Micheaux
Our friendship was close and intimate, such as is formed in the warmth of youth and which the grave alone dissolves.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow

British Dictionary definitions for intimate (1 of 2)

intimate¹

/ (ˈɪntɪmɪt) /

adjective

characterized by a close or warm personal relationship: an intimate friend
deeply personal, private, or secret

(often postpositive foll by with) euphemistic having sexual relations (with)
- (postpositive foll by with) having a deep or unusual knowledge (of)
- (of knowledge) deep; extensive
having a friendly, warm, or informal atmosphere: an intimate nightclub
of or relating to the essential part or nature of something; intrinsic
denoting the informal second person of verbs and pronouns in French and other languages

noun

a close friend

Origin of intimate

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

Derived forms of intimate

intimately, adverb
intimateness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for intimate (2 of 2)

intimate²

/ (ˈɪntɪˌmeɪt) /

verb(tr; may take a clause as object)

to hint; suggest
to proclaim; make known

Origin of intimate

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

Derived forms of intimate

intimater, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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