intimate

Universal Words adjective, verb, noun adjective 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 / dinner / conversation * 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 ~ (with sb) (formal or law) having a sexual relationship with sb intimately 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 ~ sth (to sb) (formal) to let sb know what you think or mean in an indirect way: [VN] He has already intimated to us his intention to retire. * [V(that)] He has already intimated (that) he intends to retire. noun (formal) a close personal friend: He was a wartime minister and intimate of Churchill.