adjective , verb , noun
■ adjective / ˈɪntɪmət; NAmE /
1.
( of people ) having a close and friendly relationship :
intimate friends
We're not on intimate terms with our neighbours.
2.
private and personal, often in a sexual way :
The article revealed intimate details about his family life.
the most intimate parts of her body
3.
( of a place or situation ) encouraging close, friendly relationships, sometimes of a sexual nature :
an intimate restaurant
He knew an intimate little bar where they would not be disturbed.
4.
( of knowledge ) very detailed and thorough :
an intimate knowledge of the English countryside
5.
( of a link between things ) very close :
an intimate connection between class and educational success
6.
intimate (with sb) ( formal or law ) having a sexual relationship with sb
► in·tim·ate·ly adverb :
intimately connected / linked / related
an area of the country that he knew intimately
She was intimately involved in the project.
They touched each other intimately (= in a sexual way) .
■ verb
/ ˈɪntɪmeɪt/ ~ sth (to sb) ( formal ) to let sb know what you think or mean in an indirect way
SYN make known :
[ vn ]
He has already intimated to us his intention to retire.
[ v ( that )]
He has already intimated (that) he intends to retire.
■ noun
/ˈɪntɪmət/ ( formal ) a close personal friend
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WORD ORIGIN
adjective and noun early 17th cent. (as a noun): from late Latin intimatus , past participle of Latin intimare impress, make familiar, from intimus inmost.
verb early 16th cent.: (earlier (late Middle English) as intimation ) from late Latin intimat- made known, from the verb intimare impress, make familiar, from intimus inmost.