The main intimate meaning is "very close, personal or private". An intimate friend knows your secrets, an intimate restaurant is small and cosy, and intimate knowledge of a subject comes from long, detailed experience.
The noun intimacy means that closeness itself. Both words can also refer politely to a sexual relationship, so context matters. And there is a separate verb, to intimate, which means to hint or suggest something without saying it outright. It is spelled the same but pronounced differently.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Close and personal; private; (verb) to hintPart of speech
Adjective; noun (a close friend); verbPronunciation
IN-tuh-mit (adjective, noun); IN-tuh-mayt (verb)Word forms
intimacy, intimately, intimation, intimatedOrigin
Latin intimus, innermost; verb from intimare, to make knownOpposite
Distant, formal, public, impersonalRegister
Neutral to formal; the verb is formalQuick tip
To define intimate for a learner: close, private, personal
Intimate meaning, sense by sense
- Close and warm (people). "They have been intimate friends since school."
- Private and personal (things). "She kept her diary for intimate thoughts." Intimate details are ones most people would not share with strangers.
- Small and cosy (places, events). "The wedding was an intimate gathering of twenty guests."
- Deep and detailed (knowledge). "The guide has an intimate knowledge of these hills."
- Sexual (polite). "The couple had been intimate for months." Here it is a gentle way to refer to a sexual relationship.
- Noun: a close friend. "Only his intimates knew about the illness." This use is formal and a little old-fashioned.
Intimacy meaning and definition
To define intimacy in English, start here: it is the state of being very close to someone. People who study relationships often describe several kinds:
- Emotional intimacy: feeling safe to share fears, hopes and feelings.
- Physical intimacy: touch and closeness, which may or may not be sexual, such as a hug or holding hands.
- Intellectual intimacy: sharing ideas and opinions openly.
- Experiential intimacy: bonding by doing things together.
So when someone says their marriage lacks intimacy, they may mean emotional distance, not only physical. Being able to show you are vulnerable is often named as a key part of it, along with trust and rapport.
The verb: to intimate
To intimate (IN-tuh-mayt) means to let someone know something indirectly, through a hint or suggestion. "The manager intimated that promotions might come in spring." The noun is intimation: "There was no intimation of trouble."
In Indian English, the verb is also common in official writing in a more direct sense, meaning to inform formally: "Please intimate the office of any change of address." Readers from other countries may find this usage unusual, but it is long established in Indian and some British official contexts.
Examples in everyday situations
- We chose a small, intimate cafe so we could actually hear each other talk.
- The documentary gives an intimate look at life on a fishing boat.
- After years of working side by side, they knew each other intimately.
- He intimated, with a smile, that the surprise party was already planned.
- Building intimacy takes time and honest conversations.
Origin of intimate
The adjective comes from Latin intimus, meaning "innermost", the superlative form linked to intus (within). The verb comes from Late Latin intimare, "to make known" or "to put into", built on the same root. That is why one word ended up with two quite different jobs: one about what is deep inside, the other about passing it on.
Tone tips and mix-ups
Because one sense is sexual, think before using intimate about two specific people. "They have an intimate relationship" will usually be read as romantic. "They are close friends" avoids that.
| Say this | Means |
|---|---|
| an intimate venue | small and cosy |
| intimate knowledge | detailed, firsthand |
| intimately involved | closely connected with something |
| intimate apparel | underwear and nightwear (retail term) |
Do not mix up intimate with intimidate (to frighten someone). Despite the similar look, the two have separate roots. For more words on closeness and feelings, visit the people and feelings hub, or compare platonic, which describes close love without romance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of intimacy?
Intimacy means deep closeness between people. It can be emotional, physical, intellectual or based on shared experience, and it is not always sexual.
Does intimate always mean sexual?
No. A fair intimate definition covers much more. It often just means close, personal, private or cosy, as in an intimate dinner or intimate knowledge. It is sexual only in certain contexts, usually about two people's relationship.
How do you pronounce intimate?
As an adjective or noun, say IN-tuh-mit, with a short final syllable. As a verb meaning to hint, say IN-tuh-mayt, with the last part rhyming with late.
What does intimate mean as a verb?
It means to hint at something or make it known indirectly. In Indian official English it can also mean to inform formally, as in "intimate the bank of your new address".
What is an intimate setting?
An intimate setting is a small, quiet place where people can feel close and talk easily, such as a small concert hall or a dinner with a few friends.
Is intimacy the same as love?
Not exactly. Intimacy is closeness and openness, which often grows with love, but you can feel love without much intimacy and share some intimacy with friends you do not love romantically.