Synonyms for intimate
- adjective
- noun
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
2. Friendly
Other
familiar, private, personal, sexual, confidential, profound, thick informal, deep-seated, tight informal, near
Noun
1. Bosom friend — A very close friend
friend, bosom friend, cater-cousin, bosom buddy informal
Definitions
- adj. 1
Closely acquainted; familiar.
He and his sister deeply valued their intimate relationship as they didn't have much else to live for.
- adj. 2
Personal; private.
- adj. 3
Pertaining to sex organs or underwear.
- n. 1
A very close friend.
Only a couple of intimates had ever read his writing.
Related words
- Word family
- intimately intimacy intimation
- Phrases
- intimate apparel intimate partner violence
Forms
- Plural
- intimates → friends, cater-cousins, confidants, companions…
Choose the right word
One may indicate his wishes, intimate his plans, imply his opinion, signify his will, suggest a course of action.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- knowledgeable He's very knowledgeable about colichemarde swords.
- versed He is the less well versed of the two teachers.
- sexual Tom was fired over a sexual harassment allegation.
- profound The audience was impressed by his profound lecture.
- confidential This is confidential, I can only tell him personally.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| intimate | rising | |
| knowledgeable | steady | |
| versed | steady | |
| sexual | rising | |
| profound | rising | |
| confidential | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- near1, mate1, cozy2, cosy2, chum1
- 5 letters
- close1, tight1, inner2, thick1, homie, crony2
- 6 letters
- friend1, sexual3, inward2, versed1, inmost
- 7 letters
- private2
- 8 letters
- personal3, internal3, friendly2, familiar3, interior4, thorough2, informal3, profound2
- 9 letters
- associate4, companion3, intrinsic3, confidant3
- 12 letters
- confidential4
- 13 letters
- knowledgeable4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (cozy2 = 2 syllables).