intimate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone to whom private matters are confided
    confidant.
  2. verb give to understand
    insinuate; adumbrate.
    • I insinuated that I did not like his wife
  3. verb imply as a possibility
    suggest.
    • The evidence suggests a need for more clarification
  4. adjective satellite marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
    • intimate friend
    • intimate relations between economics, politics, and legal principles" - V.L. Parrington
  5. adjective satellite having or fostering a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere
    informal; cozy.
    • had a cozy chat
    • a relaxed informal manner
    • an intimate cocktail lounge
    • the small room was cozy and intimate
  6. adjective satellite having mutual interests or affections; of established friendship
    familiar.
    • on familiar terms
    • pretending she is on an intimate footing with those she slanders
  7. adjective satellite involved in a sexual relationship
    sexual.
    • the intimate (or sexual) relations between husband and wife
    • she had been intimate with many men
    • he touched her intimate parts
  8. adjective satellite innermost or essential
    internal; inner.
    • the inner logic of Cubism
    • the internal contradictions of the theory
    • the intimate structure of matter
  9. adjective satellite thoroughly acquainted through study or experience
    knowledgeable; versed.
    • this girl, so intimate with nature"-W.H.Hudson
    • knowledgeable about the technique of painting"- Herbert Read

WordNet

In"ti*mate adjective
Etymology
Formerly intime, L. intimus, a superl. corresponding to the compar. interior cf. F. intime. The form intimate is due to confusion with intimate, v. t. See Interior.
Definitions
  1. Innermost; inward; internal; deep-seated; hearty. "I knew from intimate impulse." Milton.
  2. Near; close; direct; thorough; complete.
    He was honored with an intimate and immediate admission. South.
  3. Close in friendship or acquaintance; familiar; confidential; as, an intimate friend. Syn. -- Familiar; near; friendly; confidential.
In"ti*mate noun
Definitions
  1. An intimate friend or associate; a confidant. Gov. of the Tongue.
In"ti*mate transitive verb
Etymology
L. intimatus, p. p. of intimare to put, bring, drive, or press into, to announce, make known, from intimus the inmost. See Intimate, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Intimated ; present participle & verbal noun Intimating
Definitions
  1. To announce; to declare; to publish; to communicate; to make known. Obs.
    He, incontinent, did proclaim and intimate open war. E. Hall.
    So both conspiring 'gan to intimate Each other's grief. Spenser.
  2. To suggest obscurely or indirectly; to refer to remotely; to give slight notice of; to hint; as, he intimated his intention of resigning his office.
    The names of simple ideas and substances, with the abstract ideas in the mind, intimate some real existence, from which was derived their original pattern. Locke.

Webster 1913