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 — 形容詞

  • intimatepositive
  • more intimatecomparative
  • most intimatesuperlative

1. Describes a very close personal connection between people, built on trust, priva

1.形容詞B1
釋義

親密的

形容人與人之間非常親近的關係

Describes a very close personal connection between people, built on trust, privacy, and deep mutual understanding — whether in friendship, family bonds, or romantic relationships.

例句

Tuan and Ada have been intimate friends since their first year of college.

Tuan 和 Ada 從大學一年級起就是親密的朋友。

intimate friends — very close personal friends

The restaurant's intimate atmosphere made it a popular spot for wedding proposals.

那家餐廳的親密氣氛使它成為求婚的熱門地點。

intimate atmosphere — warm, private setting

同義詞
  • 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'

反義詞
  • distant

    Describes a relationship lacking personal connection or warmth

  • formal

    Describes interactions governed by rules or politeness rather than personal closeness

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

❌We are intimate colleagues who share an office.
✅We are close colleagues who share an office.
💡'intimate' suggests a deeply personal or private bond, not just a comfortable work relationship.

2. Describes a thorough understanding of a subject that comes from deep personal st

2.形容詞B2
釋義

深入；透徹

透過研究或經驗獲得的詳細理解

Describes a thorough understanding of a subject that comes from deep personal study or long experience, giving an expert-level grasp of its details.

例句

Professor Manuela has an intimate knowledge of Portuguese colonial architecture.

Manuela 教授對葡萄牙殖民時期的建築有深入的了解。

intimate knowledge — deep, expert-level understanding

After thirty years, Bilal had an intimate understanding of the city's transport system.

在這份工作上做了三十年之後，Bilal 對這座城市的交通系統已有透徹的認識。

同義詞
  • thorough

    More general; does not imply personal experience as the source of understanding

  • deep

    Similar in meaning but less specific about the method of learning (study vs. hands-on experience)

  • detailed

    Focuses on the level of granularity rather than the depth of personal engagement

反義詞
  • 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

❌I have intimate knowledge of making scrambled eggs.
✅The chef has intimate knowledge of traditional French pastry techniques.
💡'intimate knowledge' implies deep, expert-level familiarity from long study or experience, not basic everyday know-how.

3. Relating to the deepest and most private thoughts, feelings, or qualities at the

3.形容詞C1
釋義

內心；深層

與個人內心深處的想法或情感有關

Relating to the deepest and most private thoughts, feelings, or qualities at the core of a person's being.

例句

In her diary, Nila recorded her most intimate fears and hopes for the future.

Nila 在日記裡記錄了自己內心深處的恐懼與對未來的期望。

intimate fears/hopes — deepest personal feelings

The poem revealed the writer's intimate thoughts about love and mortality.

這首詩揭露了作者對愛與死亡的內心想法。

同義詞
  • 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

❌The two strangers had an intimate conversation about the weather.
✅The two strangers had an intimate conversation about their childhood traumas.
💡'intimate' in this sense refers to deeply personal, private content, not merely casual or friendly talk.

intimate — 名詞

intimate — 動詞