intimate

intimates, intimating, intimated

(The adjective and noun are pronounced [[t]ɪ̱ntɪmət[/t]]. The verb is pronounced [[t]ɪ̱ntɪmeɪt[/t]].)

1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you have an intimate friendship with someone, you know them very well and like them a lot.

I discussed with my intimate friends whether I would immediately have a baby.

Derived words:

intimately ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV -ed

He did not feel he had got to know them intimately.

N-COUNT: usu with poss

An intimate is an intimate friend. [FORMAL]

They are to have an autumn wedding, an intimate of the couple confides.

2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If two people are in an intimate relationship, they are involved with each other in a loving or sexual way.

I just won't discuss my intimate relationships.

...their intimate moments with their boyfriends.

Derived words:

intimately ADV-GRADED ADV after v

You have to be willing to get to know yourself and your partner intimately.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n An intimate conversation or detail, for example, is very personal and private.

He wrote about the intimate details of his family life...

I hate to interrupt your intimate conversation but we do have an assignment to discuss.

Syn:

private

Derived words:

intimately ADV-GRADED ADV after v

It was the first time they had attempted to talk intimately.

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (approval) If you use intimate to describe an occasion or the atmosphere of a place, you like it because it is quiet and pleasant, and seems suitable for close conversations between friends.

...an intimate candlelit dinner for two.

5) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n An intimate connection between ideas or organizations, for example, is a very strong link between them.

...an intimate connection between madness and wisdom...

France has kept the most intimate links with its former African territories.

Derived words:

intimately ADV-GRADED ADV after v

Property and equities are intimately connected in Hong Kong.

6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n An intimate knowledge of something is a deep and detailed knowledge of it.

He surprised me with his intimate knowledge of Kierkegaard and Schopenhauer.

Syn:

thorough

Derived words:

intimately ADV-GRADED usu ADV after v

...a golden age of musicians whose work she knew intimately.

7) VERB If you intimate something, you say it in an indirect way. [FORMAL]

[V that] He went on to intimate that he was indeed contemplating a shake-up of the company...

[V to n n] He had intimated to the French and Russians his readiness to come to a settlement. [Also V n]

Syn:

hint