What does “intimate” mean?
- 1
adjectivevery close and personal, or private
They shared their most intimate secrets.
- 2
adjectivesmall, quiet and friendly, about a place or event
The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere.
- 3
adjectivedetailed and based on deep study or experience
She has an intimate knowledge of the city.
Intimate at a glance
- Part of speech
- adjective
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈɪntəmət/ · IN-tuh-mut
How to use “intimate” correctly
There is also a rare formal verb “intimate” (IN-tuh-mayt), meaning to suggest indirectly. Be careful: “intimate relationship” can suggest a sexual one.
Common phrases with “intimate”
- intimate friend
- intimate knowledge
- intimate setting
- intimate details
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- close
- cozy
- detailed
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- distant
Word family
- intimacy
- intimately
“intimate” is on these word lists
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