intimacy
B2-C1Formal to neutral; common in personal, psychological, literary, and academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The state of having a close personal relationship with someone, characterized by deep familiarity, emotional closeness, and often privacy.
A detailed, deep knowledge of a subject or thing; the quality of being private and personal, often implying a cozy or warm atmosphere; in literary contexts, a close familiarity with style or subject matter.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun referring to a state or quality. Can be used in plural ('intimacies') to refer to specific intimate acts or moments, though this is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Intimacy' is perhaps slightly more frequent in American self-help and therapy discourse.
Connotations
Generally positive (closeness, trust) but can carry negative or euphemistic connotations when referring to sexual relations, depending on context.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties within relevant domains (relationships, psychology).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intimacy with somebodyintimacy between A and Bintimacy of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pillow talk (refers to intimate conversation, often post-sexual intimacy)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in 'intimate knowledge' of a market/client (different adjective form).
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and literary studies to discuss interpersonal relationships, narrative techniques, or authorial stance.
Everyday
Used to describe close relationships, often romantic, but also deep friendships.
Technical
In therapy, refers to a core component of healthy relationships; in literature, can refer to a narrative perspective that creates closeness with a character.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They didn't properly intimate their desire for greater intimacy.
- The letter intimated a level of intimacy she found surprising.
American English
- The report intimated a breach of intimacy within the group.
- She never intimated that their intimacy had faded.
adverb
British English
- They spoke intimately for hours.
- The setting was intimately lit with candles.
American English
- They are intimately involved in the project.
- He knows the process intimately.
adjective
British English
- They shared an intimate moment in the cosy pub.
- He has an intimate knowledge of the city's backstreets.
American English
- They had an intimate conversation over coffee.
- The book provides an intimate portrait of her life.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Good friends have intimacy.
- They have a strong emotional intimacy after years of friendship.
- The room's small size created a feeling of intimacy.
- Building intimacy requires trust and mutual vulnerability.
- The novel is written with great intimacy, as if the author is speaking directly to the reader.
- The therapist helped them explore the barriers to physical and emotional intimacy in their marriage.
- The poet's intimacy with the natural world is evident in every line.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'INto ME you SEE' – intimacy involves letting someone see into your private self.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTIMACY IS CLOSENESS / INTIMACY IS WARMTH / INTIMACY IS SHARING A PRIVATE SPACE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'интимность' which is narrower and more strongly associated with sexual relations. English 'intimacy' is broader, encompassing emotional and intellectual closeness.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intimacy' as a countable noun for a person ('He is my intimacy' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'intimacy' with 'privacy' (which is about being alone, not necessarily close with another).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'intimacy' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used in romantic contexts, intimacy can refer to deep closeness in friendships, family relationships, or even one's relationship with a subject or place.
Yes. It can imply an uncomfortable or imposed closeness ('The forced intimacy of sharing a small flat was difficult'), or be used euphemistically for sexual relations, which may be viewed negatively in certain contexts.
Privacy is about freedom from observation or intrusion. Intimacy is about close, shared connection. You can have privacy without intimacy (being alone), and intimacy with limited privacy (a deep conversation in a public place).
It is grammatically possible but less common. The plural 'intimacies' is sometimes used to refer to specific intimate acts or moments ('They shared small intimacies, like a secret handshake'). The uncountable use is standard.
Collections
Part of a collection
Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.
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