intimate
14 synonyms and 3 antonyms for intimate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Very close and familiar, especially emotionally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Very close and familiar, especially emotionally.
“The two sisters shared an intimate bond that nobody else understood.”
Opposites
2. noun
A very close friend.
“The author's closest intimates were invited to the private reading.”
How to use intimate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
intimate relationship
intimate details
intimate friend
Etymology
From Latin intimatus, from intimus, "innermost," the superlative of intus, "within."
Full origin of intimate →Frequently asked questions
What does “intimate” mean?
The word “intimate” means very close and familiar, especially emotionally. In plain terms, very close or personal (adjective), or to hint at something (verb) — note the stress shifts between the two: INT-i-mit vs IN-ti-mate.
How do you pronounce “intimate”?
“Intimate” is pronounced IHN-tih-muht (/ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/ in IPA).
How do you use “intimate” in a sentence?
Here is “intimate” used in a sentence: “They had an intimate friendship built over decades.”
What part of speech is “intimate”?
Depending on how it is used, “intimate” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “intimate” come from?
The word “intimate” comes from Latin. From Latin intimatus, from intimus, "innermost," the superlative of intus, "within.".
Is “intimate” a common word?
“Intimate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “intimate” have?
“Intimate” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very close and familiar, especially emotionally.
What is the difference between intimate and intimidate?
They look alike but are unrelated in meaning. As a verb, intimate means to suggest or hint at something without stating it directly ("she intimated that changes were coming"), while intimidate means to frighten or pressure someone. Mixing them up is a common spelling and usage error.
What is the difference between intimate and close?
Both describe strong personal bonds, but intimate is stronger: intimate friends share private thoughts and know the personal details of each other's lives. Close describes a firm attachment without necessarily implying that depth of private knowledge, and intimate can also carry romantic or physical connotations that close lacks.
