intimate

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Very close and familiar because of friendship, affection, or long personal knowledge.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs: an intimate friend; They are intimate. Do not usually say more intimate for this sense.

   Patterns

   • an intimate friend
   • be intimate with someone
   • an intimate relationship

   They are intimate friends who share almost everything.

   She felt intimate with him after years of honest talks.

   The interview created an intimate mood without becoming awkward.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Private, personal, or kept from public view.

   Grammar: Almost always comes before the noun it describes: intimate details, not usually The details are intimate in this sense.

   Patterns

   • intimate details
   • intimate knowledge
   • an intimate setting

   The lawyer asked for the most intimate details of the contract.

   He had intimate knowledge of the building's security system.

   The café has an intimate setting with only six tables.

3. 3verbtransitiveformal

   To state or suggest something indirectly rather than saying it openly.

   Grammar: Takes an object: intimate concern. Stress moves to the end: in-ti-MATE.

   Patterns

   • intimate something
   • intimate that something is true
   • intimate concern/disapproval

   She intimated that the deadline might change.

   His letter intimated concern without blaming anyone.

   The report intimated a need for more funding.

Word forms

Common combinations

intimate friend

An intimate friend can disagree without ending the friendship.

intimate details

Do not share intimate details in a public email.

intimate knowledge

She has intimate knowledge of the local market.

intimately connected

Sleep and memory are intimately connected.

Synonyms and how they differ

close

General and common for relationships; intimate is warmer and can suggest privacy or depth.

personal

Means private to a person; intimate often adds emotional closeness or physical privacy.

private

Focuses on not public; intimate suggests closeness or confidentiality rather than only secrecy.

imply

For the verb, imply is more everyday; intimate is more formal and indirect.

Opposites

Word family

intimacy noun

Close familiarity, privacy, or a close personal relationship.

intimately adverb

In a close, detailed, or private way.

intimation noun

An indirect hint or suggestion; formal.

Commonly confused: intimate or intimidate? intimate or imitate?

Practice

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