intimate
intimate Lexical Profile
intimate Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Closely acquainted, familiar, and emotionally or personally close.
"Only a few intimate friends were invited to attend the private wedding ceremony."
Private, cozy, and personal in nature or atmosphere.
"The small bistro offers an intimate setting with candlelit tables and soft acoustic music."
Involving very thorough, detailed, and deep knowledge or study.
"Her intimate knowledge of local ecology made her an invaluable guide during the expedition."
• verb
To imply, hint, or communicate delicately and indirectly.
"The director intimated that several major organizational changes would be announced in the spring."
To state or make known formally or officially.
"The committee has already intimated its intention to review the safety protocols before next month."
• noun
A very close, trusted friend or confidant.
"Throughout his political career, he shared his private doubts with only a small circle of intimates."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Intimate' is a heteronym: as an adjective and noun, the final syllable is pronounced with a short schwa sound (/ˈɪntɪmət/), whereas the verb form is pronounced with a long 'a' sound (/ˈɪntɪmeɪt/).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Late Latin intimatus, the past participle of intimare ('to impress, make familiar, or announce'), which derives from Latin intimus ('inmost' or 'deepest').