Words / C1

INT-im-uh-t/ˈɪntɪmət/

Intimate (/ˈɪntɪmət/) means private and personal, or having very close knowledge; the verb (/ˈɪntɪmeɪt/) means to hint: intimate details, intimate knowledge of, intimate that. Personal is everyday; knowing the hall is not the same as a number on paper.

Meaning

Private and personal; also having a very close knowledge (intimate with / knowledge of); verb /ˈɪntɪmeɪt/ to hint.

Examples

• “Intimate knowledge of the hall still needs the occupancy number on paper.”
• “Personal is everyday. Close is milder. Intimidate is already in this course and different (frighten). Knowledge is a claim. A number is a certificate. Write the number; then describe the hall.”

Good to know

Private, or closely knowing (verb: hint). Mix-up: intimidate (already in the dictionary). Knowledge ≠ a certificate number.

Near in meaning

personal

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