Etymologically
Log in

intimate

Etymology and origin of the English word intimate

History Permalink

The adjective intimate, close, and the verb intimate, to hint, both come from Late Latin intimātus, but are pronounced differently.[1][2][3]

intimate1 close

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1632
Borrowed from
Latin intimatus
Ultimate origin
Latin (intimus)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/, US /ˈɪn.t̬ə.mət/[4]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin intimātus, the past participle of intimāre, to make known, announce, impress deeply,[1][2] from Latin intimus, inmost, innermost, as a noun a close friend,[1][2][5] a superlative of in, in, with the ending -timus as in ultimus.[2] An earlier form, intime, very familiar, is from before 1618.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Inmost, deep-seated: 1632.[1][6][3]

Semantic evolution

Close in acquaintance or friendship is first recorded in 1635, from the Latin sense,[1][6] and relating to one's inmost thoughts and feelings from 1671.[6] The noun, a familiar friend, is from the 1650s;[2] it was sometimes written in a false Spanish form, intimado, in the 17th to 19th centuries.[2] The euphemism for sexual relations is from 1889,[6] use for women's underclothing from 1904,[6] and intimates as a commercial word for women's underwear by 1988.[2]

Timeline

  • 1632 – inmost.[6]
  • 1635 – closely acquainted.[6]
  • 1650s – a close friend (noun).[2]
  • 1671 – relating to inmost thoughts.[6]
  • 1889 – sexual (euphemism).[6]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Marked by close acquaintance or friendship; familiar.
  2. Very personal or private.
  3. Essential or innermost; showing one's deepest nature.
  4. Informal, warm and private in atmosphere: an intimate restaurant.
  5. (euphemistic) Having a sexual relationship.
  6. Having deep knowledge of something: an intimate knowledge of the city.

Noun

  1. A close friend or confidant.

Word family

  • intimacy
  • intimately
  • intimateness

intimate2 hint

Confidence
Established
Formation
Back-formation
First attested
1538
Ultimate origin
Latin (intimare)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈɪn.tɪ.meɪt/, US /ˈɪn.t̬ə.meɪt/[4]

Etymology

It is probably a back-formation from intimation (1442–43, Scottish),[1][2] modelled on Late Latin intimātus, past participle of intimāre, to make known, announce.[1][2][3] The Old French verb was intimer.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

To communicate or make known formally: 1538 in Barnhart, the 1530s in Etymonline.[1][2]

Semantic evolution

To suggest indirectly, to hint, is from 1590, in Spenser's Faerie Queene.[1][2]

Timeline

  • 1442–43 – intimation.[1]
  • 1538 – to announce.[1]
  • 1590 – to hint.[1]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To make known subtly and indirectly; to hint.
  2. To announce or proclaim.

Word family

  • intimation
  • intimater

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  5. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Intimate.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/intimate. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·