intimate
/ˈɪntɪmət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪntɪmət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-tə-mət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.tə.mət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈɪn.tɪ.meɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.tə.meɪt/ (ame, ipa)
intimate — adjective
- intimatepositive
- more intimatecomparative
- most intimatesuperlative
1. Describes a very close personal connection between people, built on trust, priva
Describes a very close personal connection between people, built on trust, privacy, and deep mutual understanding — whether in friendship, family bonds, or romantic relationships.
Tuan and Ada have been intimate friends since their first year of college.
intimate friends — very close personal friends
The restaurant's intimate atmosphere made it a popular spot for wedding proposals.
intimate atmosphere — warm, private setting
Élise told only her most intimate family members about the surgery.
The documentary offered an intimate look at life inside the refugee camp.
Daichi and Nila's relationship grew more intimate after they moved in together.
- close
Less intense than 'intimate'; describes familiarity without necessarily implying deep trust or privacy
- confidential
Emphasises the sharing of private information; narrower in scope
- familiar
Describes easy, informal closeness but lacks the emotional depth of 'intimate'
用法筆記
Can describe both emotional closeness (between friends or family) and physical or romantic closeness. The context determines which meaning is primary.
常見錯誤
2. Describes a thorough understanding of a subject that comes from deep personal st
Describes a thorough understanding of a subject that comes from deep personal study or long experience, giving an expert-level grasp of its details.
Professor Manuela has an intimate knowledge of Portuguese colonial architecture.
intimate knowledge — deep, expert-level understanding
After thirty years, Bilal had an intimate understanding of the city's transport system.
The guide's intimate familiarity with the jungle trails saved the group hours of walking.
You need intimate knowledge of contract law to handle this kind of case.
Her intimate acquaintance with local customs made her the perfect cultural liaison.
- superficial
Describes a shallow understanding that skips important details
- cursory
Describes knowledge gained from a quick or rushed look rather than sustained study
用法筆記
Typically used with nouns like 'knowledge', 'understanding', 'familiarity', or 'acquaintance'. The object of that knowledge is introduced by the preposition 'of' or 'with'.
常見錯誤
3. Relating to the deepest and most private thoughts, feelings, or qualities at the
Relating to the deepest and most private thoughts, feelings, or qualities at the core of a person's being.
In her diary, Nila recorded her most intimate fears and hopes for the future.
intimate fears/hopes — deepest personal feelings
The poem revealed the writer's intimate thoughts about love and mortality.
Adaeze shared her most intimate secret with only her closest childhood friend.
The memoir explored the author's intimate feelings of guilt and regret after the war.
- innermost
Nearly synonymous; 'innermost' is more literary and does not carry the interpersonal connotations
- deep-seated
Suggests something firmly established in one's character rather than a passing private thought
- personal
Broader; does not convey the sense of core or essential depth
用法筆記
Almost always modified by a possessive (e.g., 'her most intimate thoughts') and often paired with 'most' for emphasis. Distinct from sense 1 in that it describes internal, personal content rather than interpersonal relationships.
常見錯誤
intimate — noun
- intimatesingular
- intimatesplural
1. A person with whom one shares a very close bond of trust and mutual understandin
A person with whom one shares a very close bond of trust and mutual understanding, often someone you feel comfortable telling your private thoughts to.
Over the years, Dylan has become one of Manuela's most trusted intimates.
trusted intimates — very close confidants
Yael gathered only a few close intimates for the small wedding ceremony.
Reuben was one of the writer's intimates and gave a moving speech at the funeral.
The ambassador's intimates knew she planned to resign long before the public announcement.
- confidant
Specifically implies someone you trust with secrets, whereas 'intimate' is broader
- close friend
More common and less formal; 'close friend' is preferred in everyday spoken English
- bosom friend
Old-fashioned and literary; carries a warmer, more sentimental tone
- acquaintance
Someone you know but do not have a close personal bond with
- stranger
Someone you do not know at all
用法筆記
More formal than 'close friend' or 'best friend'. Often appears in literary or journalistic writing. Can sound old-fashioned in casual conversation — most people would use 'close friend' instead.
常見錯誤
intimate — verb
- intimatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- intimates3rd person singular
- intimating-ing form
- intimatedpast simple
1. To suggest or communicate something in a careful, indirect way, so that the list
To suggest or communicate something in a careful, indirect way, so that the listener or reader is expected to understand the meaning without being told openly.
In her closing speech, the CEO intimated that the company might merge with a competitor.
intimate + that-clause — suggest indirectly
Rachid intimated his disagreement by staying silent throughout the whole meeting.
intimate + noun phrase — communicate without direct words
The minister intimated that further tax cuts were unlikely in the coming year.
When the journalist asked about the promotion, Ada intimated that a decision had been reached.
Through a series of carefully worded emails, the lawyer intimated his client's willingness to settle.
- hint
Less formal; 'hint' can be accidental or playful, whereas 'intimate' is always deliberate and careful
- imply
More neutral in register; 'imply' focuses on logical suggestion rather than emotional delicacy
- suggest
Broader and more common; 'suggest' can be either direct or indirect
- insinuate
Often negative — 'insinuate' suggests something unpleasant or sly, while 'intimate' is neutral or positive
文法句型
intimate + that-clause
intimate + noun phrase
用法筆記
More formal and deliberate than 'hint'. Frequently constructed with a that-clause. Unlike 'imply', 'intimate' often carries the nuance that the speaker is being careful or delicate rather than strategic.