intimate

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ti·​mate ˈin-tə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
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
The 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
2
: of a very personal or private nature
intimate secrets
3
: marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity
intimate knowledge of the law
4
b
: belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature
intimately adverb
intimateness noun

intimate

2 of 3

noun

in·​ti·​mate ˈin-tə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
: a very close friend or confidant : an intimate friend

intimate

3 of 3

verb

in·​ti·​mate ˈin-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce intimate (audio)
intimated; intimating

transitive verb

1
: to communicate delicately and indirectly : hint
2
: to make known especially publicly or formally : announce
intimater noun
Choose the Right Synonym for intimate

suggest, imply, hint, intimate, insinuate mean to convey an idea indirectly.

suggest may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought.

a film title that suggests its subject matter

imply is close to suggest but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed.

measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent

hint implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement.

hinted that she might get the job

intimate stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor.

intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye

insinuate applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner.

insinuated that there were shady dealings

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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
White Lotus costars Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall confirmed swirling romance rumors on an intimate walk together, and Formula 1 fans Paris Hilton, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White attended the racing Grand Prix in Las Vegas. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 Heated yet subtle and restrained, the piece’s 10 sections on a Latin text, lasting about 20 minutes in all, chart an intimate drama whose moments of grandeur are all the more effective given the overall modesty. Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023 The latest ventures of young Singaporeans—dreamy restaurants, thoughtful tours, intimate home-dining experiences—reveal surprising sides of the city. Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Nov. 2023 On an autumnal morning in London, Vogue Club invited its members, alongside British Vogue editors and friends of Vogue, to the Victoria & Albert Museum for an intimate breakfast and private viewing of Coco Chanel. Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2023 At the rear is the Library Lounge, a smaller, more intimate space designed for solitude, and serves as the buffer with rows of seats behind. Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023 Almost half of those victims were killed by a friend, family member or intimate partner, the HRC report states. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2023 The Rio Theatre in Midtown, housed in a converted movie theater, is an intimate venue that draws a range of acts, including Patti Smith, Little Feat and indie legends like Bill Callahan and Built to Spill. Lauren Sloss, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023 Hamilton says that the bikini wax only removes hair along the bikini line, shaping it or removing some hair to create a neater appearance outside of the more intimate parts. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2023
Noun
This collection includes intimates that are the brand’s best-sellers that are available in adjustable and disabled-friendly features. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Oct. 2023 Her collaboration with Engelbert and Swarovski is an eye-catching collection of sparkly jewelry and body chains made from silver and chunky crystals, as well as Skims’s signature form-fitting dresses, intimates and bodysuits all encrusted in crystals (naturally). Vogue, 2 Nov. 2023 If Spanx’s clothing or intimates have yet to find a way into your drawers, the brand’s latest sale is the perfect time to add them. Alex Warner, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023 This year also marked the debut of Victoria's Secret and PINK's first-ever adaptive intimates. Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023 Cami Téllez, cofounder and CEO of Parade, will not remain at the company after an acquisition by intimates brand Ariela & Associates. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2023 Ganni regularly opens its Copenhagen headquarters to a rotating list of collaborators from outerwear (Icelandic brand 66°NORTH) to underwear (direct to consumer intimates darling Parade). Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Aug. 2023 Not all of the Halls’ intimates are onboard with Ted’s supposedly altruistic betrayal. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2023 On July 14, Rihanna—who is currently pregnant with her second child—shared a flirty new campaign video for her lingerie label's new line of sheer intimates. Glamour, 15 July 2023
Verb
The Israeli military will likely need a few more weeks to finish its high-intensity ground operations in north Gaza, several officials intimated. Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2023 If your exercise or intimates drawers are in need of a refresh, there are plenty of deals to take advantage of, including performance leggings from Alo Yoga and Calvin Klein sports bras. Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2023 His regard for his subjects is reflected in their unstudied poses, the smiles intimating camaraderie. Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 If your exercise or intimates drawers are in need of a refresh, there are plenty of deals to take advantage of, including Calvin Klein undergarments and bike shorts. Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2023 Whatever the veracity of these stories, the fascination with possession and exorcism remains a staple of American popular culture in film, television, and literature, perhaps a means of intimating the divine—even in its diabolical manifestations—especially within an era that is so disenchanted. TIME, 28 Oct. 2023 Advertisement Basket Zaragoza’s general manager, Jose Artigas, wrote in an email to The Times that the 7-foot-3 Mara remained under contract with the team, intimating that he should not be allowed to play elsewhere. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023 In 2019, Masterson's accusers filed another lawsuit claiming that they were stalked and intimated after their initial action two years prior. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023 Kelly would not name a starting quarterback for the Bruins’ game against San Diego State (2-0) on Saturday afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego or divulge his rotation other than to intimate that Garbers, Moore and Collin Schlee would all play against the Aztecs. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

alteration of obsolete intime, from Latin intimus — see intimate entry 3

Verb

Late Latin intimatus, past participle of intimare to put in, announce, from Latin intimus innermost, superlative of Old Latin *interus inward — more at interior

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1632, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Noun

1659, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intimate was in 1522

Dictionary Entries Near intimate

Cite this Entry

“Intimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimate. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

intimate

1 of 3 verb
in·​ti·​mate ˈint-ə-ˌmāt How to pronounce intimate (audio)
intimated; intimating
1
2
: to communicate indirectly : hint
intimater noun
intimation noun

intimate

2 of 3 adjective
in·​ti·​mate ˈint-ə-mət How to pronounce intimate (audio)
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 How to pronounce intimate (audio)
: an intimate friend : confidant

More from Merriam-Webster on intimate

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