intimate
emotionally very close and personal
Describes a very close relationship where people share deep feelings and personal things.
an intimate [relationship/friend/conversation] between [people]
- They have been intimate friends since high school and still share everything with each other.
- Over the years, an intimate bond grew between the two colleagues.
- She wrote an intimate letter to her sister, talking about her fears and hopes.
- The documentary offers an intimate portrait of the artist and his closest relationships.
- He is my most intimate friend.
- They have an intimate relationship and talk about everything.
- We had an intimate talk about our families.
- Over time, the group became more intimate and trusted each other.
very private and personal
Describes details or things about a person that are very private and not for everyone to know.
intimate [details/questions/thoughts] about [someone]
- The interviewer asked some very intimate questions about his childhood.
- She refused to share intimate details of her divorce with the media.
- His new book reveals intimate aspects of his life that few people knew.
- Keeping a diary helped her express her most intimate thoughts in a safe place.
- I do not want to talk about such intimate details.
- He told me some intimate facts about his family.
- She wrote down her intimate thoughts in a notebook.
- They asked intimate questions that made me uncomfortable.
sexually or physically close
Describes a romantic situation where two people are physically very close or have sex.
[people] are intimate with [each other]
- They became intimate after dating for several months.
- The film includes several intimate scenes between the two main characters.
- He did not want to discuss the intimate side of their marriage in public.
- The charity provides support to people who have experienced violence from an intimate partner.
- They are very intimate now that they are married.
- The couple shared an intimate moment alone.
- She does not talk about her intimate life at work.
- He has never had an intimate relationship before.
small, private, and cozy (place)
Describes a place or event that is small and private, where people feel relaxed and close.
an intimate [restaurant/wedding/gathering/setting]
- They chose an intimate restaurant for their anniversary dinner.
- The wedding was a small, intimate ceremony with only close family and friends.
- The singer prefers intimate venues where she can see every face in the crowd.
- Soft lighting and quiet music created an intimate atmosphere in the bar.
- We ate in a small, intimate restaurant.
- They had an intimate wedding with only twenty guests.
- The room felt warm and intimate.
- I like intimate concerts in small clubs.
very detailed and thorough knowledge
Having very deep and complete knowledge about something.
[someone] has an intimate knowledge of [something]
- She has an intimate knowledge of the local laws.
- The guide’s intimate understanding of the city made the tour unforgettable.
- His intimate familiarity with the software saved the company hours of work.
- Only a few people have such an intimate grasp of the negotiations.
- She has an intimate knowledge of English grammar.
- Our teacher has an intimate understanding of this subject.
- He gained an intimate knowledge of the city by living there for years.
- The manager has an intimate grasp of the company’s history.
a very close trusted friend
A person who is a very close friend and knows many private things about you.
[someone] is an intimate of [someone]
- Only his closest intimates knew how ill he really was.
- As an intimate of the minister, she had access to private discussions.
- The president relied on a small group of intimates for honest advice.
- Very few people outside his intimates understood his decision.
- She is one of his few intimates.
- Only his intimates know his true feelings.
- He trusts his intimates more than anyone else.
- The leader talks freely only with his intimates.
to suggest or hint indirectly
To say or show something in a careful way, without saying it directly.
[someone] intimates (that) [clause]
- He intimated that he might resign if the policy passed.
- In her letter, she intimated a desire to return to academic work.
- The report intimated that further cuts could be necessary.
- Officials have intimated that negotiations are close to collapse.
- He intimated that the project could fail.
- She intimated her wish to move to another office.
- The manager intimated that some people might lose their jobs.
- The email intimated that changes were coming.
- Base: intimate
- Base: intimate
- Plural: intimates
- Base: intimate
- 3rd Person Singular: intimates
- Present Participle: intimating
- Past: intimated
be intimate with
1have a sexual relationship with
To have sex with someone, or to be physically very close to them in a romantic way.
- She refused to answer questions about whether she had been intimate with her co-star.
- He admitted that he had been intimate with several partners in the past.
intimate knowledge of
1very detailed knowledge of something
Very deep and complete knowledge about something, usually from long experience or study.
- The lawyer has intimate knowledge of international trade law.
- Local guides with intimate knowledge of the forest led the team safely to the village.
intimate relationship
1very close romantic relationship
A romantic relationship where two people feel very close and share personal and often sexual parts of their lives.
- They have maintained an intimate relationship for over ten years.
- She finds it hard to build intimate relationships after her past experiences.
intimate setting
1small, private, cozy place
A place or situation that is small, private, and feels warm and relaxed, usually with only a few people.
- The concert took place in an intimate setting with only fifty seats.
- Candles and soft music created an intimate setting for the dinner.