in·ti·mate
ˈin-tə-mət 
1
a
: marked by a warm friendship developing through long association
intimate friends
b
: suggesting informal warmth or privacy
intimate clubs
c
: engaged in, involving, or marked by sex or sexual relations
It must have been a shock for the author to realize—somewhere between contract and completed manuscript—that while Ms. Brickman was intimate with dozens of mobsters, she was close to none of them.—
Amy Pagnozzi
Amy PagnozziThe father of three children by three women doesn't have a girlfriend and says he hasn't been intimate with anyone in two months.—Michael Silver
Michael Silver2
: of a very personal or private nature
intimate secrets
3
: marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity
intimate knowledge of the law
intimately
adverb
intimateness
noun
in·ti·mate
ˈin-tə-mət
: a very close friend or confidant : an intimate friend
in·ti·mate
ˈin-tə-ˌmāt
intimated; intimating
1
: to communicate delicately and indirectly : hint
2
: to make known especially publicly or formally : announce
intimater
noun
Synonyms
Examples of intimate in a Sentence
Adjective
The dining room is plush and intimate, set off by some of the most extravagant floral arrangements in the city.
—Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009
When a little-known writer undertakes a manifesto—a statement, after all, of sober purpose and principle—it is likely also to be a cri de coeur, and its reasoned argument will derive from the intimate wounds of autobiography.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper's, April 2007
The company would sit around after dinner in the lavishly plain living room or wander out to the pool for more intimate conversation …
—Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987
They remained intimate friends throughout their lives.
They are in an intimate and committed relationship.
Noun
Musicians … tend not, as writers do, to write hundreds of letters sharing with intimates what is going on in their hearts or heads.
—August Kleinzahler, New York Times Book Review, 18 Oct. 2009
She might not mind his assistance, and he was hungering for the company of an intimate to whom he could give and from whom he could receive, and who better in all the world than Nancy?
—Philip Roth, Everyman, 2006
So this is a biography rich in information, written in a humble and tasteful way by an intimate whose aim is to put a lot of material at the reader's disposal …
—Martha C. Nussbaum, New Republic, 31 Dec. 2001 & 7 Jan. 2002
His coworkers knew him as “Robert,” but his intimates called him “Robbie.”
usually quite aloof in public, he's actually quite relaxed with his intimates
Verb
Is he really—as his advisers keep intimating to Western journalists—a serious reformer waiting to emerge from the closet?
—Murray Scot Tanner, Newsweek, 6 May 2002
The dome tops look like pieces of the older ridged plains, intimating that the domes formed when the plains were pushed upward from below.
—Robert T. Pappalardo et al., Scientific American, October 1999
He bounded on stage wearing a polo T-shirt and trousers whose sleekness intimated a large American Express bill.
—Caroline Sullivan, Times (London), 15 Oct. 1992
trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew
Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009
When a little-known writer undertakes a manifesto—a statement, after all, of sober purpose and principle—it is likely also to be a cri de coeur, and its reasoned argument will derive from the intimate wounds of autobiography.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper's, April 2007
The company would sit around after dinner in the lavishly plain living room or wander out to the pool for more intimate conversation …
—Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987
They remained intimate friends throughout their lives.
They are in an intimate and committed relationship.
Noun
Musicians … tend not, as writers do, to write hundreds of letters sharing with intimates what is going on in their hearts or heads.
—August Kleinzahler, New York Times Book Review, 18 Oct. 2009
She might not mind his assistance, and he was hungering for the company of an intimate to whom he could give and from whom he could receive, and who better in all the world than Nancy?
—Philip Roth, Everyman, 2006
So this is a biography rich in information, written in a humble and tasteful way by an intimate whose aim is to put a lot of material at the reader's disposal …
—Martha C. Nussbaum, New Republic, 31 Dec. 2001 & 7 Jan. 2002
His coworkers knew him as “Robert,” but his intimates called him “Robbie.”
usually quite aloof in public, he's actually quite relaxed with his intimates
Verb
Is he really—as his advisers keep intimating to Western journalists—a serious reformer waiting to emerge from the closet?
—Murray Scot Tanner, Newsweek, 6 May 2002
The dome tops look like pieces of the older ridged plains, intimating that the domes formed when the plains were pushed upward from below.
—Robert T. Pappalardo et al., Scientific American, October 1999
He bounded on stage wearing a polo T-shirt and trousers whose sleekness intimated a large American Express bill.
—Caroline Sullivan, Times (London), 15 Oct. 1992
trying to intimate that there was more going on than anyone knew
Recent Examples on the WebIlana Kaplan, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024
There’s no intimate exchange about what the characters want from life or America, just an exhibition of superficial differences — racial identity above all else, with economic class as the common denominator, the only other thing that matters.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024
The town hall is a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle, but the groom’s parents were not among the 28 guests at the intimate ceremony, which Prince William and Prince Harry attended.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Scientists have analyzed nearly every part of Ötzi and his belongings, painting an intimate picture of life in the late fourth millennium BC.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Directed by independent filmmaker Bill Horace, the documentary shares an intimate look at AB+L’s two-decade-long commitment to artistic innovation and cultural diversity, highlighting the transformative power of art, music, and community.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
First came unforgettably intimate pictures of the Romani people.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
The Dunk and Egg stories are more intimate two-handers with a bit of a lighter tone.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
This wrenchingly intimate German drama sees the late Ulrich Mühe play a dedicated surveillance expert in East Germany tasked with spying on an artist couple, only to become inconveniently touched by their lives.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
But for the sake of social history, Miss Manners will try:
Boudoir: a bedroom, or antechamber to one, where a lady receives her intimates.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The audience never sees what’s underneath Camilla’s clothes; the intimates are meant to help actor Olivia Williams disappear into the role while creating a bountiful silhouette.
—Ellen Gamerman, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Silky-smooth intimates, cozy loungewear, and even a get-up worthy of a night out are all waiting to be added to your cart.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023
No, not necessarily those intimates, but her confidantes, her hairdresser, her social secretary and, briefly, her young children.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The exhibition marks a major solo outing for Terrill in Los Angeles, putting a spotlight on an artist and activist who, for decades, has chronicled his life and that of a circle of Chicano intimates in poignant and irreverent ways.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024
This year, the brand’s Valentine’s Day Shop has expanded to over 29 limited-edition collections of intimates, sleep sets and loungewear.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024
An all-new KIDZ BOP apparel line including activewear, intimates, sleepwear and loungewear is set to hit North American retailers in the third quarter of 2024.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 4 Jan. 2024
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023
Hamas has intimated that more hostages could be released in exchange for a ceasefire and the arrival of more aid to Gaza.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2023
Russia’s future will likely be decided within those black boxes, Cherkasov intimated.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2024
Cronin has intimated that UCLA might decline an NIT bid, preferring to accelerate the recovery of injured players while also mining the transfer portal for newcomers.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Wahlberg, however, seemed to intimate that Blue Bloods could continue.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
A day after posting a 4-13 finish that was the worst of his 29 seasons as an NFL head coach, the 71-year-old Belichick intimated a willingness to be flexible about his job duties should Patriots owner Robert Kraft decide to bring him back for his 25th year in New England.
—Kyle Hightower, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
Given the situation, Briere had been exploring options for some time and while neither executive would specify the precise timeline of the deal, Briere intimated that the discussions were going on early in the season while Drysdale was recovering from a mid-body injury.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2024
In 2020, aligning himself with U.S. President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro intimated that Huawei would be excluded from Brazil’s 5G network.
—Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Now, with her third studio album, Don’t Forget Me, Rogers hones in on more intimate moments.
—Ilana Kaplan, SPIN, 10 Apr. 2024
There’s no intimate exchange about what the characters want from life or America, just an exhibition of superficial differences — racial identity above all else, with economic class as the common denominator, the only other thing that matters.
—Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024
The town hall is a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle, but the groom’s parents were not among the 28 guests at the intimate ceremony, which Prince William and Prince Harry attended.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Scientists have analyzed nearly every part of Ötzi and his belongings, painting an intimate picture of life in the late fourth millennium BC.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Directed by independent filmmaker Bill Horace, the documentary shares an intimate look at AB+L’s two-decade-long commitment to artistic innovation and cultural diversity, highlighting the transformative power of art, music, and community.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
First came unforgettably intimate pictures of the Romani people.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024
The Dunk and Egg stories are more intimate two-handers with a bit of a lighter tone.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
This wrenchingly intimate German drama sees the late Ulrich Mühe play a dedicated surveillance expert in East Germany tasked with spying on an artist couple, only to become inconveniently touched by their lives.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
The lucky circumstances of our sky may well have been the gift that allowed us, eventually, to become its intimate.
—Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2024
But for the sake of social history, Miss Manners will try:
Boudoir: a bedroom, or antechamber to one, where a lady receives her intimates.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The audience never sees what’s underneath Camilla’s clothes; the intimates are meant to help actor Olivia Williams disappear into the role while creating a bountiful silhouette.
—Ellen Gamerman, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
Silky-smooth intimates, cozy loungewear, and even a get-up worthy of a night out are all waiting to be added to your cart.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023
No, not necessarily those intimates, but her confidantes, her hairdresser, her social secretary and, briefly, her young children.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The exhibition marks a major solo outing for Terrill in Los Angeles, putting a spotlight on an artist and activist who, for decades, has chronicled his life and that of a circle of Chicano intimates in poignant and irreverent ways.
—Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2024
This year, the brand’s Valentine’s Day Shop has expanded to over 29 limited-edition collections of intimates, sleep sets and loungewear.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024
An all-new KIDZ BOP apparel line including activewear, intimates, sleepwear and loungewear is set to hit North American retailers in the third quarter of 2024.
—Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 4 Jan. 2024
Verb
The first two Warmest Winter projects primarily feature cozy, acoustic-forward arrangements, and the 10 new tracks broaden that soundscape into a wonderland of skittering bass and intimate a cappella joints.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023
Hamas has intimated that more hostages could be released in exchange for a ceasefire and the arrival of more aid to Gaza.
—Raja Shehadeh, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2023
Russia’s future will likely be decided within those black boxes, Cherkasov intimated.
—Anna Nemtsova, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2024
Cronin has intimated that UCLA might decline an NIT bid, preferring to accelerate the recovery of injured players while also mining the transfer portal for newcomers.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Wahlberg, however, seemed to intimate that Blue Bloods could continue.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
A day after posting a 4-13 finish that was the worst of his 29 seasons as an NFL head coach, the 71-year-old Belichick intimated a willingness to be flexible about his job duties should Patriots owner Robert Kraft decide to bring him back for his 25th year in New England.
—Kyle Hightower, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
Given the situation, Briere had been exploring options for some time and while neither executive would specify the precise timeline of the deal, Briere intimated that the discussions were going on early in the season while Drysdale was recovering from a mid-body injury.
—Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2024
In 2020, aligning himself with U.S. President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro intimated that Huawei would be excluded from Brazil’s 5G network.
—Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intimate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to intimate
Dictionary Entries Near intimate
Cite this Entry
“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intimate
1 of 3 verb
in·ti·mate
ˈint-ə-ˌmāt
intimated; intimating
1
2
: to communicate indirectly : hint
intimater
noun
intimate
2 of 3 adjective
in·ti·mate
ˈint-ə-mət
1
: belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature
her intimate reflections
2
: marked by very close association or contact
an intimate familiarity with the rules
3
a
: marked by a warm friendship developing through long association
intimate friends
b
: suggesting informal warmth or privacy
intimate clubs
4
: of a very personal or private nature
intimate secrets
intimately
adverb
intimateness
noun
intimate
3 of 3 noun
in·ti·mate
ˈint-ə-mət
: an intimate friend : confidant
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