intimate
IHN-tih-muht
Intimate (adjective) means Very close and familiar, especially emotionally. Example: “The two sisters shared an intimate bond that nobody else understood.”
adjective
1
Very close and familiar, especially emotionally.
"The two sisters shared an intimate bond that nobody else understood."
"She felt safe in the intimate company of her oldest friends."
"They had an intimate friendship built over decades."
2
Private or personal, often relating to sex or the body.
"Please don't ask about such intimate matters in front of strangers."
"The doctor kept all intimate medical details strictly confidential."
"The memoir reveals intimate details of her childhood."
noun
1
A very close friend.
"The author's closest intimates were invited to the private reading."
"As an intimate of the family, he was always welcome at dinner."
"Only a handful of intimates attended the small ceremony."
verb
1
To suggest or hint at something without stating it directly.
"Her smile intimated that she already knew the secret."
"The letter only intimated what the manager really thought."
"He intimated that changes were coming to the company."
How to use intimate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery close or personal (adjective), or to hint at something (verb) — note the stress shifts between the two: INT-i-mit vs IN-ti-mate.
Common mistake
The verb "intimate" (to hint) is pronounced differently from the adjective "intimate" (close/personal) — don't mix them up in speech.
Common pairings
intimate relationship
intimate details
intimate friend
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like intimate.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- intimates
- Third person singular
- intimates
- Past tense
- intimated
- Comparative
- more intimate
- Superlative
- most intimate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two sisters shared an _____ bond that nobody else understood.
Etymology
From Latin intimatus, from intimus, "innermost," the superlative of intus, "within."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for intimate
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include intimate:
