Intimacy
noun
Definition
1. (noun) A close, warm, and personal connection between people — emotional closeness and trust.
2. (noun) Physical closeness between people, especially sexual activity — used as a polite or softer way to refer to sex.
2. (noun) Physical closeness between people, especially sexual activity — used as a polite or softer way to refer to sex.
Context Alive
You've been with your partner for six years now. The early excitement has faded, but something deeper has taken its place. Last night you sat on the sofa together in total silence for an hour — just reading, feet touching under the blanket. No conversation, no phones, just quiet comfort. That kind of intimacy doesn't come from big romantic gestures. It comes from years of knowing someone so well that you don't need to fill every silence with words.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Emotional Closeness (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about the deep emotional bond between people — feeling truly known, safe, and connected. Imagine two best friends who can tell each other absolutely anything without fear of being judged — that level of trust and openness is intimacy. This is the feeling of being genuinely close to someone, beyond surface-level conversation. You might say "there's a real intimacy between them — they finish each other's sentences" about a couple who are deeply connected, or someone could say "he struggles with intimacy" about a person who finds it hard to open up emotionally. Or think about a late-night conversation with a friend where you both share things you've never told anyone — that moment of vulnerability creates intimacy. The word suggests trust, warmth, and letting your guard down.
✏️ Intimacy isn't only about romantic relationships. You can have emotional intimacy with close friends, family members, or anyone you trust deeply. When therapists or self-help books talk about "fear of intimacy," they usually mean the fear of letting people get emotionally close — not just physically.
2 Physical or Sexual Closeness (Noun) Common ▼
This meaning is about physical closeness between people, often used as a softer, more polite way to talk about sexual activity. Imagine a couple in therapy telling the counsellor that they haven't had any intimacy in months — they mean they haven't been physically close or had sex. This is the word people reach for when "sex" feels too blunt or direct. You might read "physical intimacy is an important part of a healthy relationship" in a magazine article, or someone could say "they shared a moment of intimacy" to describe a private, physical encounter without going into detail. Or picture a relationship advice column where someone writes about the lack of intimacy in their marriage — it could mean anything from kissing to sex. The word suggests something private and personal.
✏️ Using intimacy instead of "sex" makes the conversation feel softer and less clinical. It's the word people choose when they want to talk about the physical side of a relationship without being graphic. You'll hear it a lot in therapy, advice columns, and relationship discussions.
Common Patterns
Basic Structures
intimacy between + people → closeness shared by two or more people
There's a quiet intimacy between them that you can see from across the room.
intimacy with + person → closeness with a specific person
She found it hard to build intimacy with anyone after the divorce.
a sense / feeling of intimacy → the experience of feeling emotionally close
The small restaurant created a sense of intimacy that bigger places can't match.
Common Structures
fear of intimacy → difficulty letting people get emotionally close
His fear of intimacy kept ruining his relationships.
physical / emotional intimacy → specifying which type of closeness
A strong relationship needs both physical and emotional intimacy.
lack of intimacy → not enough closeness in a relationship
The lack of intimacy in their marriage was the main reason they split up.
Collocations
10 collocationsemotional intimacy
deep emotional connection and trust between people
physical intimacy
bodily closeness — from touching to sexual activity
fear of intimacy
difficulty allowing others to get emotionally close
lack of intimacy
not enough closeness in a relationship
build intimacy
to gradually develop a closer connection with someone
sense of intimacy
a feeling of warmth and closeness
sexual intimacy
physical closeness specifically involving sex
true intimacy
genuine, deep connection — not superficial
intimacy issues
problems with getting close to people emotionally or physically
level of intimacy
how close or deep a relationship is
Example Sentences
10 examples
1
There's a beautiful intimacy in the way they look at each other after thirty years of marriage.
The way they look at each other after three decades together shows a deep, warm connection.
2
He has a real fear of intimacy and pushes people away whenever they get too close.
He's genuinely afraid of letting people in and distances himself when they start getting close.
3
The small venue gave the concert a wonderful sense of intimacy.
The tiny space made the performance feel personal and warm.
4
They talked about the lack of intimacy in their relationship during couples therapy.
They discussed the missing closeness in their partnership with the therapist.
5
Emotional intimacy takes time — you can't force someone to open up.
Deep emotional closeness develops slowly — you can't rush someone into being vulnerable.
6
The film captures the quiet intimacy of everyday family life perfectly.
The movie beautifully shows the gentle closeness of ordinary moments between family members.
7
She found it easier to have physical intimacy than to share her real feelings.
Being physically close came more naturally to her than opening up about her emotions.
8
Building intimacy with someone requires vulnerability from both sides.
Developing real closeness with a person means both people have to let their guard down.
9
The letter was full of intimacy — you could tell it was written by someone deeply in love.
The letter felt deeply personal — it was clearly written by someone with strong feelings.
10
They hadn't had any intimacy in months and it was affecting their relationship.
They hadn't been physically close for months and it was taking a toll on their bond.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymscloseness
the most everyday alternative — works for both emotional and physical
affection
focuses more on warmth and caring — less about depth of connection
tenderness
softer and gentler — emphasises kindness and care in the relationship
Antonymsdistance
emotional or physical separation between people
coldness
a lack of warmth or emotion in a relationship
detachment
being emotionally disconnected — not letting yourself feel close