intimacy

[ in-tuh-muh-see ]

noun

, plural in·ti·ma·cies.

1. the state of being intimate.
2. a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person or group.

   Synonyms: closeness, affection, warmth, familiarity

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

/ ˈɪntɪməsɪ /

noun

1. close or warm friendship or understanding; personal relationship
2. euphemistic.
   often plural sexual relations

Word History and Origins

Origin of intimacy¹

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

Example Sentences

Photographer, artist, musician and diva Tyler Matthew Oyer and I popped around the scene, where Oyer captured moments backstage and on the runway that reverberated with heat and intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times

In the latest in a growing list of these particular moments, the typically staid and reserved Martha Stewart was clearly not thrilled by the close proximity and intimacy with which Barrymore conducted a recent interview.

From Salon

SAG-AFTRA said it has filed an election petition to represent intimacy coordinators employed by companies in the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

From Los Angeles Times

The intimacy, the sense that the audience is part of the conundrum — you can’t do that in a larger place.

From Los Angeles Times

In just a handful of minutes, our stories had established an intimacy and trust I would have sworn Zoom was incapable of supporting.

From Salon

Related Words

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