intimate Definition
in·ti·mate (in′tə mət; for v., -māt′)
adjective
- pertaining to the inmost character of a thing; fundamental the intimate structure of the atom
- most private or personal his intimate feelings
- closely acquainted or associated; very familiar an intimate friend
- promoting a feeling of privacy, coziness, romance, etc. an intimate nightclub
- resulting from careful study or investigation; thorough an intimate knowledge of French
- very close intimate acquaintance with the facts
- 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
- Archaic to make known formally; announce
- to make known indirectly; hint or imply
Etymology: < L intimatus, pp. of intimare, to announce < intimus
intimate Related Forms
intimate Synonyms
intimate
modif.
intimate Synonyms
intimate Synonyms
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.
Browse dictionary entries near intimate
- ‹ intimacy
- ‹ intima
- ‹ intifada
- ‹ inthrall
- ‹ intestines
- ‹ intestine
- ‹ intestinal fortitude
- ‹ intestinal
- ‹ intestate succession
- ‹ intestate
- intimate apparel ›
- intimately ›
- intimation ›
- intime ›
- intimidate ›
- intimidated ›
- intimidation ›
- intimist ›
- intinction ›
- intine ›

