intimate

verb in·ti·mate \ ˈin-tə-ˌmāt \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: intimate in a Sentence

Definition of intimate

intimated; intimating

transitive verb

1 : to make known especially publicly or formally : announce

2 : to communicate delicately and indirectly : hint

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intimater

noun

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intimation

play \ˌin-tə-ˈmā-shən\ noun

See intimate defined for English-language learners

See intimate defined for kids

Examples of intimate in a Sentence

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 of intimate from the Web

Philip proving to her, physically, that she actually wasn't prepared, as Elizabeth had intimated, for the spy game was important.

— tim goodman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critics' Conversation: Tim Goodman and Daniel Fienberg on "Powerful" 'Americans' Series Finale," 31 May 2018
Katie Landry-Guyton, the senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Galveston/Houston, also intimated that the Trinity River was due for a recalibration in flooding prediction models because of the sand and silt dumped downstream.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Trinity River changed by Hurricane Harvey," 22 May 2018
The Maybach name intimates something greater: opulence.

— alex davies, WIRED, "Mercedes' Electric Maybach SUV Comes With a Built-In Tea Kettle," 24 Apr. 2018
Though the team has made no official roster move announcement for either player, manager A.J. Hinch intimated on Wednesday that Gurriel's activation was imminent.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros option J.D. Davis to AAA Fresno," 12 Apr. 2018
Joe's trauma is dramatized through abrupt, elliptical flashbacks that intimate horrific childhood abuse and relate his distressing experiences in the line of duty, first as a soldier and later as an FBI agent.

— leah pickett, Chicago Reader, "You Were Never Really Here updates Taxi Driver to an even colder urban landscape," 12 Apr. 2018
HISD Board of Trustees President Rhonda Skillern-Jones noted Carranza had more than a year left on his deal, and three new trustees were seated in January -- intimating that the timing for an extension wasn't ideal.

— jacob carpenter, Houston Chronicle, "Separation agreement shows clean break between Carranza, Houston ISD," 11 Apr. 2018
Young intimated the violent nature of video games might play a role in gun violence.

— Washington Post, "Alaska lawmaker cites Holocaust deaths to oppose gun control," 28 Feb. 2018
It is intimated that Rajneesh is a hypnotist as much as a mystic.

— taylor antrim, Vogue, "Make Netflix’s Cult Documentary Wild Wild Country Your Next Weekend Binge," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intimate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of intimate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1522

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

intimate Synonyms

Synonyms

allude, hint, imply, indicate, infer, insinuate, suggest;

Near Antonyms

announce, declare, proclaim;

elucidate, explain, spell out;

delineate, describe;

smack (of), smell (of);

Synonym Discussion of 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

intimate

adjective in·ti·mate \ ˈin-tə-mət \

Definition of intimate

1 a : intrinsic, essential

b : belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature

2 : marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity

intimate knowledge of the law

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

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intimately

adverb

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intimateness

noun

See intimate defined for English-language learners

Examples of intimate in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of intimate from the Web

Looking for a cruise on a ship that is intimate and upscale?

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "Cruise ship tours: Inside Ponant's Le Soleal, a vessel designed for adventure," 12 June 2018
Director Lowell Williams gets glorious performances from his M Ensemble cast, each of the seven sounding distinctive notes in a play that is both intimate and operatic in scale.

— christine dolen, miamiherald, "'Seven Guitars' a riveting revival of August Wilson's take on black life in the 20th century," 12 June 2018
Hailey Kilgore’s performance as Ti Moune is ravishing, grounding the entire production in earnest warmth, while Michael Arden’s staging is intimate and robust.

— constance grady, Vox, "Your guide to the 17 most important nominees at this year’s Tonys," 7 June 2018
Backstage Secrets is full of candid, and rather intimate, portraits of the models who have participated in the show since its network television broadcast debut in 2001.

— evan real, The Hollywood Reporter, "Victoria's Secret Angels Defend Fashion Show's Place in #MeToo Era," 1 June 2018
The filmmakers known as the Ferndale Set have spent the last year producing high-quality music videos featuring local artists in unique or intimate settings.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit music: Magic Bag hosts Native Howl, Gasoline Gypsies; War & Treaty at Otus Supply," 31 May 2018
Club Amadeus was created in 1991 to offer warm and intimate members-only concerts.

— beth wood, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Mainly Mozart kicks off 2018 festival as it celebrates its 30th anniversary," 27 May 2018
To do this somehow felt easier, but more intimate because this was more about discovering each other.

— mehera bonner, Marie Claire, "The 17 Most Graphic and Gorgeous Sex Scenes on TV," 25 May 2018
The Window to the Wild campaign is intended to offer a more intimate and transparent experience for families and animal enthusiasts.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's what you need to know about the $25 million in renovations coming to the Milwaukee County Zoo," 24 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of intimate

alteration of obsolete intime, from Latin intimus — see ¹intimate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1632

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

intimate Synonyms

intimate

noun in·ti·mate \ ˈin-tə-mət \

Definition of intimate

: a very close friend or confidant : an intimate friend

See intimate defined for English-language learners

Examples of intimate in a Sentence

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