Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
intimacy
in‧ti‧ma‧cy /ˈɪntəməsi, ˈɪntɪməsi/ BrE AmE noun
1. [uncountable] a state of having a close personal relationship with someone
intimacy of
the intimacy of marriage
intimacy between
a close sense of intimacy between parent and child
2. intimacies [plural] things you say or do to someone you have a close personal relationship with:
She thought back over the intimacies they’d shared and the plans they’d made.
3. [uncountable] a situation in which you feel you are in private with someone:
the cosy intimacy of the café
4. [uncountable] formal sex – used especially by lawyers and police when they want to avoid using the word ‘sex’
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
intimacy
in·tim·acy [intimacy intimacies] [ˈɪntɪməsi] [ˈɪntɪməsi] noun (pl. in·tim·acies)
1. uncountable the state of having a close personal relationship with sb
• The old intimacy between them had gone for ever.
2. countable, usually plural a thing that a person says or does to sb that they know very well
3. uncountable (formal or law) sexual activity, especially an act of sexual intercourse
Example Bank:
• Gradually, a deep emotional intimacy developed between them.
• He enjoys an intimacy with the president.
• He was prevented from declaring his love by his fear of intimacy.
• I sensed a close intimacy between them.
• She isn't capable of real intimacy.
• The noise destroyed the intimacy of their conversation.
• The old intimacy between them had gone forever.
• The room had a peaceful sense of intimacy about it.
• the artist's ability to achieve intimacy with his subjects
• the intimacy created between student and teacher
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
intimate
intimate (PERSONAL) /ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/ US /-ţə-/
adjective
having, or being likely to cause, a very close friendship or personal or sexual relationship:
intimate relationships
The restaurant has a very intimate atmosphere.
He's become very intimate with an actress.
intimate /ˈɪn.tɪ.mət/ US /-ţə-/
noun [C] FORMAL
a close friend:
Intimates of the star say that he has been upset by the personal attacks on him that have appeared in the press recently.
intimacy /ˈɪn.tɪ.mə.si/ US /-ţə-/
noun
1 [U] when you have a close friendship or sexual relationship with someone:
Intimacy between teachers and students is not recommended.
2 [C usually plural] things which are said or done only by people who have a close relationship with each other:
It was obvious from their witty intimacies that they had been good friends for many years.
intimately /ˈɪn.tɪ.mət.li/ US /-ţə-/
adverb
Well, I know who she is although I'm not intimately (= closely) acquainted with her.
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
intimacy
[ɪ̱ntɪməsi]
intimacies
1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N with/between n Intimacy between two people is a very close personal relationship between them.
...a means of achieving intimacy with another person.
2) N-UNCOUNT You sometimes use intimacy to refer to sex or a sexual relationship.
Her sunburn made intimacy too painful...
The truth was he did not feel like intimacy with any woman.
3) N-COUNT: usu pl Intimacies are things that you say or do to someone you have a very close personal relationship with.
...the intimacies of a love scene.