intimacy

American  

[in-tuh-muh-see] / ˈɪn tə mə si /

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 British  

/ ˈɪntɪməsɪ /

noun

1. close or warm friendship or understanding; personal relationship

2. euphemistic (often plural) sexual relations

---

Etymology

Origin of intimacy

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

Example Sentences

“The Price,” directed by Elina de Santos, thrives in the intimacy of Pacific Resident Theatre’s main stage.

From Los Angeles Times

But her voice—slightly nasal, with conversational phrasing and clipped inflections informed by hip-hop—is instantly identifiable, and conveys intelligence and intimacy while sounding perfectly natural in glittery electronic productions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Having said that, “Janet Jackson.” is not lacking in intimacy, owing to Jackson’s emotional openness which, at times, causes her palpable discomfort.

From Salon

Burden internalized this pattern, of foregrounding the importance of the paterfamilias at the expense of real intimacy, of keeping up appearances despite the private pain.

From Los Angeles Times

Sinatra’s idea, however, was to start with love songs and put them into a swinging, danceable tempo, but at the same time to retain their intrinsic intimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affection
• confidence
• confidentiality
• familiarity
• friendship
• understanding