Intimate is a versatileable to be used in many different ways or situations word with several distinctclearly different from others; separate and easy to tell apart meanings. It can describe a cozy, private, or very familiar atmosphere, a close personal relationship, something deeply private, or the act of hintingsuggesting something indirectly without saying it plainly at something. It can also be used as a noun for a trusted friend.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈɪntəmət/
Easy pronunciation: IN-tuh-mit (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress on the first syllable.
Adjective meaning very close and familiar; not the verb intimate meaning 'to suggest.'
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intimate Meaning
very close and familiar; having a close relationship
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
Example: They’ve been intimate friends for years.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- familiar — Works well for the sense of close familiarity or closeness between people.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Intimate
Meaning 2
cozy and relaxed
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: having or fostering a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere
Example: We had dinner in an intimate little restaurant.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cozy — A strong fit for a warm, small, comfortable atmosphere.
- informal — Works when the emphasis is on relaxed and unceremonious, though it is not an exact match for cozy.
Meaning 3
private and personal
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: concerning things deeply private and personal
Example: She didn’t want to discuss intimate details of her life.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- private — A direct substitute when intimate means personal and not public.
Meaning 4
sexual or romantically involved
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: involved in a sexual relationship
Example: They were intimate before they got married.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- sexual — Matches the sense of sexual involvement, though it is broader and less specific in some contexts.
Meaning 5
hint at or suggest
Part of speech: verb
Definition: imply as a possibility
Example: The report intimated that changes were coming soon.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- suggest — A natural substitute for this verb sense.
Meaning 6
hint or imply indirectly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: give to understand
Example: He intimated that he might resign.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- adumbrate — A dictionary-listed synonym, but uncommon and formal.
- insinuate — Can work when the meaning is to suggest indirectly, but it often carries a sharper or negative tone.
Meaning 7
very knowledgeable about something
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: thoroughly acquainted through study or experience
Example: She is intimate with the history of the region.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- knowledgeable — A practical substitute when intimate means well acquainted through experience or study.
- versed — Works well in formal contexts for being well informed or experienced.
Meaning 8
deepest or central
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: innermost or essential
Example: The intimate structure of the material was studied in detail.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- inner — Fits the sense of being inside or most central.
- internal — Works when intimate means belonging to the inside or essential core.
Meaning 9
a trusted friend or confidant
Part of speech: noun
Definition: someone to whom private matters are confided
Example: He treated her as his intimate and told her everything.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- confidant — A direct match for a person trusted with private matters.
Meaning 10
referring indirectly to the genitals
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: used euphemistically to refer to the genitals
Example: The article used the term intimate parts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intimate Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- familiar
warm or friendly and informal atmosphere
- cozy
- informal
deeply private and personal
- private
involved in a sexual relationship
- sexual
hint or imply indirectly
- suggest
- adumbrate
- insinuate
well acquainted through study or experience
- knowledgeable
- versed
innermost or essential
- inner
- internal
a trusted person who receives private confidences
- confidant
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not mix up intimate meaning 'close and familiar' with intimate meaning 'sexual'.
- In everyday English, intimate as an adjective is often used for relationships, privacy, or a cozy atmosphere, while the verb means 'hint' or 'suggest'.
- The noun intimate means a trusted confidant, not a close atmosphere or a private detail.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does intimate mean?
Intimate can mean very close and familiar, private and personal, cozy and relaxed, or sexually involved, depending on the context. It can also mean to hint at something as a verb, or a trusted friend as a noun.
What is the most common meaning of intimate?
The most common everyday sense is usually 'close and familiar,' especially when talking about relationships, friendships, or a cozy setting.
What are the best synonyms for intimate?
For the most common sense, the best synonym is familiar. Other good synonyms depend on the sense: cozy, private, suggest, sexual, knowledgeable, versed, inner, internal, and confidant.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
