intimation
gb/ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
entity
1
subtle or indirect hint
A small or indirect sign, hint, or suggestion about something, often about what may happen in the future.
Usage pattern:
an intimation that [clause]; an intimation of [something]; give [someone] an intimation that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "intimation" with "intimidation". "Intimation" means a hint or indirect sign; "intimidation" means making someone feel afraid. They also often try to use *intimation* in very casual speech where "hint" or "sign" would sound more natural.
Synonyms
hint (More common and neutral; can be both subtle and fairly clear, while 'intimation' usually sounds more formal and delicate.)
|
suggestion (Broader and more general; not always as indirect or subtle as an 'intimation'.)
Antonyms
announcement (A clear, direct statement, whereas an intimation is indirect and often only implied.)
|
explicit statement (Open and fully clear, the opposite of a vague, indirect intimation.)
Collocations
the first intimation
|the slightest intimation
|without (any) intimation
|an intimation that
|an intimation of trouble
|give an intimation
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The first intimation that something was wrong came when the lights suddenly went out.
- She gave no intimation that she was planning to resign.
- There had been dark intimations of trouble in the weeks before the crash.
- We had some intimation that the policy might change, but nothing definite.
- His sudden silence was an uncomfortable intimation that the discussion was over.
Learner examples
- I had no intimation that he was sick.
- The low sales were an intimation that the product had a problem.
- Her short email was an intimation that she was not happy.
- The cold wind was our first intimation of winter.
- He left early without any intimation to his boss.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
formal or official notification
A formal message that officially tells someone about something, often in legal or business settings.
Usage pattern:
intimation of [something]; intimation to [someone]; on intimation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this formal sense of "intimation" in everyday speech instead of more natural words like "message", "email", or "notice". This sense is best kept for legal, business, or very formal writing.
Synonyms
notification (Very close in meaning; more common and slightly less formal than 'intimation' in official contexts.)
|
notice (Broad and common; can be informal, while 'intimation' sounds technical or legal.)
Antonyms
non-disclosure (The deliberate failure to give required information, the opposite of sending an official intimation.)
|
withholding (Keeping information back instead of issuing a formal intimation.)
Collocations
intimation of death
|written intimation
|prior intimation
|intimation to the parties
|on intimation of
|without prior intimation
Themes
law
|business
|communication
Examples
- The landlord must give written intimation of any planned increase in rent.
- On intimation of the applicant’s death, the claim was closed.
- Employees will receive prior intimation of any changes to their contracts.
- No intimation of the decision was sent to the affected residents.
- The court awaited formal intimation of the settlement from both parties.
Learner examples
- The company sent an intimation of closure to all staff.
- We did not receive any intimation of the meeting.
- By law, the bank must give intimation of these charges.
- The school gave parents an intimation of the new rules.
- There was no prior intimation of the new tax.
Noun
literary
C2
action
3
the act of making known
The act of telling or showing something to someone, often gently or in an indirect way.
Usage pattern:
the intimation of [something]; by intimation; the intimation of [someone’s] [feelings/wishes]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this literary sense focuses on the *act* of making something known, and may translate it simply as "idea" or "thought". It usually implies a gentle, indirect way of communicating.
Synonyms
communication (More general and common; does not carry the same sense of delicacy or indirectness as 'intimation'.)
|
conveyance (Formal; like 'intimation', focuses on the act of making something known, but can sound more technical.)
Antonyms
concealment (Act of hiding information, the opposite of making it known through intimation.)
|
suppression (Deliberately preventing information from being known, contrasted with the act of intimating it.)
Collocations
the intimation of her wishes
|the intimation of mortality
|by the slightest intimation
|a delicate intimation
|the quiet intimation of
Themes
communication
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The letter was less a complaint than an intimation of her deep disappointment.
- There was in his tone a quiet intimation of anger, though he chose his words carefully.
- The painting offers a subtle intimation of loss without stating it directly.
- His decision came without any prior intimation of his feelings.
- The novel’s opening pages carry a faint intimation of the tragedy to come.
Learner examples
- Her careful words were an intimation of her true thoughts.
- He gave a soft intimation of his wish to leave.
- The story begins with an intimation of danger.
- We had only a gentle intimation of his plan.
- The music gives an intimation of sadness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intimation
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - tim - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intimation
- Plural: intimation, intimations
Word family
Forms
intimations
noun
Core family
intimate
verb B2
Related words
intimacy
noun B2
intimately
adverb C1
Expressions
the first intimation of
1/ðə fˈɚst ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
earliest sign or hint of
Used to talk about the first small or indirect sign that something is happening or will happen.
Examples
- The sudden drop in temperature was the first intimation of the coming storm.
- His late-night calls were the first intimation of trouble in the marriage.
- The letter was the first intimation of her plans to move abroad.
without any intimation
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɛni ˌɪntɪmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
with no prior warning
Used to say that something happened with no warning or message before it.
Examples
- The workers were dismissed without any intimation.
- The flight was cancelled without any intimation to the passengers.
- Our rent was increased without any intimation in advance.