Intimate Definition & Meaning

American

British

Related Words

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

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)

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

"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.

He said Epstein “talked about the kind of intimate relationship he had with a lot of billionaires, particularly Wall Street billionaires,” and that he could help raise money for causes like global health.

From The Wall Street Journal

What makes the album a timeless classic are its catchy melodies; shrewd arrangements that caught the culture’s disco obsession; and Mr. Scaggs’s earthy, confessional lyrics and intimate voice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The intimate conversation was conducted by television producer Brad Falchuk, who executive produces “Famous Last Words.”

From Los Angeles Times

That debate is now coming for the AI companies that power the chatbots to which people are confiding the most intimate details of their private thoughts and lives.

From The Wall Street Journal

The experience was “super easygoing” and intimate, she said as she walked out of the audition room.

From Los Angeles Times

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.