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, 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)

, in·ti·mat·ed, in·ti·mat·ing.

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.
   often postpositivefoll bywith having sexual relations (with)
4. 1. postpositivefoll bywith 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

Derived Forms

• ˈintimateness, noun
• ˈintimately, adverb
• ˈintiˌmater, noun

Other Words From

• in·ti·mate·ly adverb
• in·ti·mate·ness 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

Cahoon’s approach to the role is so full of zany affectations and mannerisms that it’s hard to feel on intimate terms with Albin.

From Los Angeles Times

Cronin intimated that there could be even fewer notable nonconference games in future seasons if the Big Ten’s television partners get their wish to expand conference schedules from 20 to 22 games.

From Los Angeles Times

Coull then began sending images of himself in his underwear as well as more intimate images.

From BBC

It is thought he had been tricked by criminals in West Africa into sending intimate pictures of himself and then blackmailed.

From BBC

And is there any truth to the claim that one box contained photographs of Princess Margaret in an intimate clinch?

From BBC

Related Words

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