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
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Initially intended to be part of a family-friendly showcase at Auditorium Shores but moved indoors due to the possibility of inclement weather, the gig retained a warm, intimate feel enhanced by the thinning crowd of a late Saturday afternoon. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2024 In addition to several San Diego performances, Kim’s compositions will also be heard in New York’s Carnegie Hall (twice) and London’s Royal Festival Hall, as well as in cathedrals, intimate spots and in his hometown of Seoul, South Korea. Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 The breakout Love Lies Bleeding actress — a former police officer and competitive bodybuilder who grew up in Indiana — shares intimate onscreen moments with costars Kristen Stewart and Dave Franco in the film. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 On average, 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month, and about two-thirds of women killed by partners are killed with guns, according to the gun-control advocacy group Everytown. Nick Parker, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 Terrell-Camper has seen couples institute non-negotiables when trying it, scheduling intimate dinners, phone-free conversations, passing notes, and having couch dates to maintain a strong connection. Keyaira Boone, Essence, 16 Mar. 2024 Image This time, Mr. Peltz increased the pressure by allying with two Disney veterans with intimate knowledge of the company: Ike Perlmutter and Jay Rasulo. Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Church will perform in the establishment's intimate two-story live music venue. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 Thanks to its intimate setting and pristine sound, the Artists’ Quarter built a national reputation. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
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 Samuel, who grew up in a household of faith, pokes fun at the pageantry of religion and the capriciousness of disciples with the precision of an intimate. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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 That includes, but is not limited to, compelling the platforms to act, such as by intimating that some form of punishment will follow a failure to comply with any request, or supervising, directing, or otherwise meaningfully controlling the social-media companies' decision-making processes. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 11 Sep. 2023 The Vatican’s representative in the U.S., Cardinal Christophe Pierre, intimated as much in November. Tim Busch, National Review, 23 Dec. 2023

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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