What does intimately mean?
“Intimately” means in a close, familiar, personal, or thoroughly informed way. It is often used when describing knowledge of a subject, place, person, or situation, as in “She knew the town intimately.” The word can also mean privately or confidentially, particularly in literary and formal contexts, and it may suggest that an acquaintance or understanding goes beyond a casual or superficial level. As an adverb, it develops from the adjective “intimate,” which in turn comes from Latin roots associated with being innermost or most private. “Intimately” is especially useful when expressing deep familiarity, close involvement, or detailed personal knowledge.
adverbIn a close, familiar, or personal manner. It can also mean privately or in detail, depending on context.
- In a close, familiar, or personal manner
- Privately or confidentially
- In detail or thoroughly
"She knew the landscape intimately, having spent years walking through it."
"The two teams were intimately familiar with the local conditions."
"She spoke intimately about her experiences in the community."
To know something intimately is to know it not just superficially, but from close, personal experience.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intimately come from?
The word comes from the adjective “intimate,” which was borrowed from Latin intimus, meaning “innermost,” “deepest,” or “most private.” In English, “intimate” developed meanings connected with close personal relationships and, by extension, thorough familiarity. The adverb “intimately” was formed from that adjective and follows the same historical development, shifting naturally toward the senses of closeness, privacy, and detailed familiarity.
Related word forms
How intimately is actually used
The adverb is formal or literary in style. It can suggest a deep personal familiarity, while the meaning 'privately' is more common in older usage and some regional varieties.
Easily confused with intimately
“Intimate” is an adjective describing closeness or familiarity, while “intimately” is an adverb describing the manner in which something is done or known.