intimacy

noun

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

Synonyms of intimacy

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The #MeToo movement in 2017 changed Hollywood’s approach to love scenes, providing greater protections to performers through intimacy coordinators. — David MacK, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 His productions often balanced emotional intimacy with technological experimentation, bringing underground electronic music into conversation with chart pop without sacrificing either’s identity. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026 The film stays close to a fragile father daughter relationship and observes how denial shapes intimacy. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 Instead, participants generally wanted both wide friendship networks and emotional intimacy with their friends. — Diego Guevara Beltran, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intimacy

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intimacy was in 1641

Browse Nearby Words

intima
intimacy
intimado
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Cite this Entry

“Intimacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimacy. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of intimacy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about intimacy

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