intimately

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intimately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe knowledge that someone has of someone or something, or the amount of involvement or familiarity with something. For example, "She was intimately familiar with the details of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, Lord O'Donnell, the former cabinet secretary who was intimately involved in the 2010 negotiations, said the key constitutional requirement for a prime minister is simply the ability to command the confidence of the House of Commons.

The Guardian

It has become the metal with which we are the most intimately acquainted; after all, we put it in our mouth almost every day.

The Guardian - Tech

And it's also fair to say that the novel's cover - which, as the Times puts it, "featured a man's hand resting intimately on the seat of a woman's jodhpurs" - was something out of the ordinary for such a mainstream title.

The Guardian - Books

Schlepping Australian novels with me to Italy became a private ritual, and never, ever have I felt as happy as when mired in the gentle sea and sunshine beside the Mediterranean while breathing in the literature of an the island continent where I grew up, a place I knew intimately but, somehow, preferred from afar.

The Guardian - Opinion

And so many of the cultural affiliations of military life – regiments, the Royal British Legion, the commanders-in-chief – are intimately bound up with the historic Protestant and imperial attributes of the British royal family.

The Guardian

He remained intimately involved in the NSW Liberal party executive as president.

The Guardian

Unlike her Yorkshire contemporary, Henry Moore, who typically made mother-and-child pieces as single figures, Hepworth conceived of her maternal works as two separate bodies, intimately involved.

The Guardian - Arts

"No, but I have seen it very intimately, and the changes are not subtle, they are fundamental…" Hegarty has perhaps always been aware that he has the capacity to shift between these two operating systems, to try them both on for size and communicate in his highly allusive way how it feels.

The Guardian - Music

To avoid the debacle of 2008 he will be more intimately involved in her campaign planning this time around.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was a brilliant analysis of everyman as a way of talking intimately, challengingly and refreshingly about the human condition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Around 10,000 years of evolution separate Scottish wildcats and mainland European wildcats, and they are intimately entwined with the human culture of Scotland all the way back to the Picts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing knowledge, pair "intimately" with verbs like 'know', 'understand', or 'familiar with' to emphasize the depth of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "intimately" when a lesser degree of knowledge or connection is more appropriate. Using "familiar" or "acquainted" might be more suitable if the relationship isn't especially deep.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "intimately" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, emphasizing the depth, closeness, or thoroughness of an action, relationship, or state. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is usable in written English, with numerous examples provided for context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "intimately" conveys a sense of deep understanding, close connection, or thorough involvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "intimately", it's important to ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on closeness or depth, avoiding overstatement. Related phrases include "closely", "personally", and "deeply involved", offering alternative ways to express the connection or familiarity. Use "intimately" to add depth to your writing, emphasizing profound understanding or personal connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Closely

Indicates proximity or connection, but lacks the depth of emotional connection suggested by "intimately".

Familiar

Suggests a good level of acquaintance or knowledge, without necessarily implying deep understanding or emotional connection.

Deeply involved

Emphasizes active participation and engagement, rather than just familiarity or knowledge.

Personally

Highlights individual involvement and experience, which may not always be as profound or comprehensive as "intimately".

Profoundly

Suggests depth of impact or understanding, but doesn't necessarily imply a close, personal relationship.

Extensively

Emphasizes the breadth or scope of knowledge, but doesn't convey the emotional or personal connection.

Thoroughly

Highlights completeness and attention to detail, lacking the nuance of emotional connection or close involvement.

In detail

Focuses on the level of specificity and particulars, rather than the depth of personal involvement.

Significantly

Emphasizes importance or impact, but not necessarily a personal or close connection.

In a close manner

Highlights manner but does not imply necessarily a personal or emotional closeness or a deep knowledge about something.

FAQs

How can I use "intimately" in a sentence?

"Intimately" is used to describe a close, personal connection or a thorough understanding. For example, "She knew the city "intimately" after living there for many years."

What words are similar to "intimately"?

Alternatives to "intimately" include "closely", "personally", or "deeply involved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "intimately know"?

Yes, "intimately know" is a correct and common usage. It emphasizes a deep and personal understanding or familiarity. You might say, "He "intimately" knows the challenges faced by small business owners."

What does "intimately connected" mean?

"Intimately connected" implies a strong and integral link between two or more things. For example, "The success of the project was "intimately" connected to the dedication of the team."