NYT Dictionary

INTIMATE

/ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/
AdjectiveNounVerbIN-ti-matein-ti-mate · 3 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2025

Meaning

Closely acquainted; familiar.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from Latin intimātus, the perfect passive participle of intimō (“to put or bring into, to impress, to make familiar”) (see -ate (adjective forming suffix)), from intimus (“inmost, innermost, most intimate”), superlative of intus (“within”), from in (“in”); see interior.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

thickbosom buddybosom friendcater-cousinintimate apparelhintconfidantadumbrateinsinuatesuggest

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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