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

• intimately adverb
• intimateness noun
• 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

It’s also been an intimate window into the conflicted inner life of the show’s eponymous host.

From Los Angeles Times

For Cannibal Corpse tours, do you prefer to play arenas and huge festivals or more intimate clubs/theaters?

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, Ray J hinted he got intimate with the “Sticky” rapper.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea of a driver-cooling system was intimated after the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, when heat and humidity left several drivers on the brink of collapse.

From BBC

Although she did not realise it at the time, Emma, who lived in Kent but has since moved to Essex, was in the grip of coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship.

From BBC

Related Words

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