intimacy

/ˈɪntɪməsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪntɪməsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-tə-mə-sē/ (ame, mw)

intimacy — noun

  • intimacysingular
  • intimaciesplural

1. A very close personal connection between people, built on deep trust, understand

1.名詞B2
釋義

A very close personal connection between people, built on deep trust, understanding, and genuine care for one another.

例句

After living together for three years, Lena and Kiran developed a deep intimacy that words could not capture.

uncountable noun used with adjective: deep intimacy

Many couples discover that their intimacy grows stronger after working through difficult times together.

collocation intimacy grows / grows stronger

同義詞
  • closeness

    more general; can describe emotional ties without romantic or physical overtones

  • familiarity

    emphasizes knowing someone well over time; less emotional weight than intimacy

  • affection

    focuses on warm feelings rather than the depth of connection

反義詞
  • distance

    emotional or social separation between people

  • formality

    polite but impersonal behaviour that keeps people at arm's length

文法句型

intimacy + with + somebody

intimacy + between + people

用法筆記

Uncountable in this sense. Can be modified by adjectives such as emotional, physical, or romantic to specify the type of closeness. Frequently followed by with or between.

常見錯誤

❌We had intimacy last night at the hotel.
✅We shared a moment of intimacy last night at the hotel.
💡'intimacy' describes a general state of closeness, not a single act. Use 'a moment of intimacy' or 'an intimate moment' for a specific occasion.
❌I have intimacy with my classmates.
✅I feel close to my classmates.
💡'intimacy' is too strong for casual friendships; use it only for very deep, personal bonds.

2. Personal subjects, details, or experiences that people only reveal to those they

2.名詞B2
釋義

Personal subjects, details, or experiences that people only reveal to those they know extremely well.

例句

The two sisters shared intimacies about their romantic lives that they never discussed with anyone else.

pattern: share intimacies + about + topic

Amir felt uncomfortable when his new colleague began asking about the intimacies of his marriage.

pattern: the intimacies of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • secrets

    broader; can include non-personal information; less formal

  • personal matters

    more neutral and less literary than intimacies

  • private affairs

    emphasizes the boundary between public and private life

文法句型

the intimacies of + noun phrase

share intimacies

discuss intimacies

用法筆記

Usually appears in the plural form (intimacies). Common in formal, literary, or journalistic writing. Marked by strong collocation with of (the intimacies of something) and with verbs like share, discuss, reveal.

常見錯誤

❌He told me an intimacy about his past.
✅He shared intimacies about his past with me.
💡This sense is almost always plural; use 'intimacies' not 'an intimacy'.
❌They shared the intimacies of the meeting.
✅They discussed the details of the meeting.
💡'intimacies' refers to personal/private matters, not general meeting details.