intimacy

noun

in·​ti·​ma·​cy ˈin-tə-mə-sē How to pronounce intimacy (audio)
plural intimacies
1
: the state of being intimate : familiarity
2
: something of a personal or private nature

Examples of intimacy in a Sentence

the intimacy of old friends the intimacy of their relationship He felt he achieved a certain intimacy with her. The band liked the intimacy of the nightclub.
Recent Examples on the Web Its songs homed in on the somewhat mundane intimacies of a comfortable, committed relationship, pulling from old (yet reliable) tropes such as waking up next to a person in his most unfiltered state. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 The cast share a comfortable, often amusing chemistry that reflects a lifetime of intimacy. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 While Stewart and O'Brian worked separately and together with an intimacy coordinator for the sexier moments, O'Brian jokes that a lot of their onscreen bond was forged over a mutual awkwardness on set. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Using the large-format IMAX camera for closeups boosted both the tension and the sense of intimacy. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Parental roles seldom factor in the effort required to nurture the connection and intimacy between partners. Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Share [Findings] The nocturnal heart rate of young men can be predicted by their female partners’ daytime feelings of intimacy or annoyance. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Props design, Amy Kellett; intimacy and fight direction, Jenny Male; dialect coach, Jenna Berk; production stage manager, Jenna Keefer. Missy Frederick, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Similarly, individuals from chaotic backgrounds may struggle with trust and intimacy, making secure attachments challenging. Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intimacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intimacy was in 1641

Dictionary Entries Near intimacy

Cite this Entry

“Intimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimacy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

intimacy

noun
in·​ti·​ma·​cy ˈint-ə-mə-sē How to pronounce intimacy (audio)
plural intimacies
1
: the state of being intimate
2
: something of a personal or private nature
shared little intimacies in their letters

More from Merriam-Webster on intimacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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