Word
intimate
Meanings
Very close and personal; involving private feelings, thoughts, or relationships.
Small, quiet, and private in a way that feels warm and personal.
Having detailed knowledge or familiarity with something.
Definition
Intimate describes a close, private connection or detailed personal knowledge shared between people.
Intimate most often refers to a relationship or moment that is very close and personal, usually shared with only a few people. It can also describe a setting that feels small, private, and warm. In another common use, it means having detailed knowledge or familiarity with something. Depending on context, it may also suggest sexual closeness, so tone and situation matter.
Examples
- They shared an intimate conversation after the conference, away from the crowded reception.
- I prefer an intimate setting for my birthday, with just a few friends and good food.
- She has an intimate knowledge of the region’s history, down to small details most visitors miss.
- He felt the documentary became too intimate when it lingered on the family’s private grief.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use intimate to mean simply “friendly” or “informal,” but it usually implies strong closeness, privacy, or sometimes sexual connotations.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.