Intimate Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms 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)

      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

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    noun

    1. a close friend

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 intimate 2 British / ˈɪntɪˌmeɪt /

    verb

    1. to hint; suggest

    2. to proclaim; make known

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    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

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    Letting your in-laws pay for a casual, intimate brunch the day after the ceremony, for example, could accomplish all of this.

    From MarketWatch

    Mr. Reich’s music runs from intimate to epic, and it’s all captured in this engaging set, supplemented with thoughtful essays by his advocates.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    Although the framing of the message isn't so intimate: "On behalf of the Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex."

    From BBC

    The piece also gave me rare insight through conversations with his brother Ricardo and his longtime trainer Eddy Reynoso, who shared intimate memories and moments that shaped him inside and outside the ring.

    From Los Angeles Times

    It's an album of intimate, gauzy pop, almost entirely drumless and built around hypnotic musical loops that short-circuit your emotions.

    From BBC

    Related Words

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

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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