intimacy

noun

in·​ti·​ma·​cy ˈin-tə-mə-sē How to pronounce intimacy (audio)
plural intimacies
1
: the state of being intimate : familiarity
2
: something of a personal or private nature

Examples of intimacy in a Sentence

the intimacy of old friends the intimacy of their relationship He felt he achieved a certain intimacy with her. The band liked the intimacy of the nightclub.
Recent Examples on the Web Michael Caine questioned the purpose of intimacy coordinators in a recent interview with the Daily Mail. Michaela Zee, Variety, 23 Sep. 2023 Michael Caine is sharing his thoughts on the need for intimacy coordinators during amorous scenes in film and television projects. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2023 But, with Maeve abroad, the two struggled to keep their relationship — and intimacy — alive. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023 Sedgwick, who was also one of the great theorists of shame, saw the relationship between mother and child as a model for the isolation (and, more surprisingly, the possibility of intimacy) that shame can produce. Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023 This moment surmised the unexpected intimacy of the show, which welcomed a large crowd juxtaposed with the people most familiar with the brand and founders. Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 14 Sep. 2023 Clark enjoyed the intimacy of the get-togethers but admits to having an aggressive game-play streak. Jaelani Turner-Williams, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023 Plus: Don’t sleep on the atmospheric sounds of Warpaint and raw intimacy represented by ex-Savages singer Jehnny Beth. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023 There is a physical intimacy happening just with the closeness. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 11 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intimacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intimacy was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near intimacy

Cite this Entry

“Intimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimacy. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

intimacy

noun
in·​ti·​ma·​cy ˈint-ə-mə-sē How to pronounce intimacy (audio)
plural intimacies
1
: the state of being intimate
2
: something of a personal or private nature
shared little intimacies in their letters

More from Merriam-Webster on intimacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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