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intimate Definition

in·ti·mate (in′tə mət; for v., -māt′)

adjective

  1. pertaining to the inmost character of a thing; fundamental the intimate structure of the atom
  2. most private or personal his intimate feelings
  3. closely acquainted or associated; very familiar an intimate friend
  4. promoting a feeling of privacy, coziness, romance, etc. an intimate nightclub
    1. resulting from careful study or investigation; thorough an intimate knowledge of French
    2. very close intimate acquaintance with the facts
  6. having illicit sexual relations: a euphemism

Etymology: altered (infl. by the v.) < earlier intime < Fr < L intimus, superl. of intus, within: see intestine

noun

an intimate friend or companion

transitive verb -·mat′ed, -·mat′·ing

  1. Archaic to make known formally; announce
  2. to make known indirectly; hint or imply

Etymology: < L intimatus, pp. of intimare, to announce < intimus

intimate Related Forms

in′·ti·mately adverb in′·ti·mate·ness noun

intimate Synonyms

intimate

modif.

  1. Personal

    close, guarded, private, secret, near, familiar, trusted, confidential, inmost, innermost; see also informal 1, private, secret 1, special 1.

    Antonyms public*, open*, unguarded. *

  2. Close

    devoted, fond, fast; see faithful, friendly 1. See syn. study at familiar.

intimate Synonyms

intimate

n.

associate, constant companion, close friend, confidant; see friend 1.

intimate Synonyms

intimate

v.

suggest, imply, infer; see hint 1. See syn. study at suggest.

intimate Usage Examples

Object

motion: Under these rules, you should not intimate the motion to us before the first hearing.

Preposition: at

time: Among the closures intimated at that time was Cowglen Hospital whilst Blawarthill was to see a significant reduction in beds.

Modifies a noun

  • acquaintance: They were too near; having been just recognized by a comparative stranger, I felt uneasy at this close vicinage of intimate acquaintance.
  • atmosphere: Our smaller John Bolton dining room offers a more intimate atmosphere, seating up to 24 guests for a formal luncheon.
  • portrait: James Simpson described his early days in the office of Ian G Lindsay, sketching an intimate portrait of the man.
  • relationship: Intimate relationships may be affected by a loss of sexual drive.
  • surroundings: Cathy Marston's triple bill includes items which make the most of the intimate surroundings says Lynette Halewood Mark Morris Dance Group.. .
  • dinner: From alfresco dining on the beach to an intimate dinner on your own private patio.

Modifying Another Word

  • wonderfully: With a wonderfully intimate style, Stacey has charmed audiences with a remarkable repertoire of standards.
  • surprisingly: In fact, as they say their goodbyes, something surprisingly intimate takes place.
  • incredibly: I was literally looking into people's minds, which is an incredibly intimate place to be.
  • deeply: The paintings comprise deeply intimate portraits of shame, seemingly imaged through the memory of a child.
  • fairly: The sensory garden will be wonderfully inviting and a fairly intimate area for everybody who visits the park.
  • very: The show at Prince's LA villa was seen by a very intimate audience - only fifty odd guests were invited.

Used with adjective complement

  • socialize: Featuring h the invitation by wonderful socializing intimate aboard from the.
  • become: In less than a week we had become intimate.
  • seem: I had nowhere seen such faces as theirs: and yet, as I gazed on them, I seemed intimate with every lineament.
  • get: Hard to believe just moments earlier I'd been getting intimate with the little rock.
  • sound: The ringing strings sounded pleasantly intimate in that dark arena.

Preposition: of

relationship: When Venus and the Moon are both in Water, we have the potential for the most intimate of relationships.