intimate

¹ American  

[in-tuh-mit] / ˈɪn tə mɪt /

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 American  

[in-tuh-meyt] / ˈɪn təˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

intimated, intimating

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

2. Archaic. to make known; announce.

---

intimate ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ ˈɪntɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to hint; suggest

2. to proclaim; make known

---

Related Words

See familiar.

See hint.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

The room, which holds around 70 people, is an intimate setting with burning candles and chandeliers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

In a statement, Jo Sarsby Management described him as a "true pioneer of wildlife filmmaking" who had captured "some of the most breathtaking and intimate images" of the natural world.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Michael Spyres’ Tristan nicely supplies the vulnerability, while still being strong enough vocally to partner Davidsen, who will give a rare intimate recital at BroadStage in Santa Monica on April 10.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

At times, it almost feels too intimate, as if there’s a familiarity between filmmaker and subject that’s so innately present throughout filming that Coppola forgets not every viewer will come equipped with the same knowledge.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

While we walk through my neighborhood, he keeps his head bent toward mine as though we’re having an intimate conversation, but what he's really doing is explaining the Schouwburg.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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