looking intimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking intimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, appearance, or atmosphere that suggests closeness or personal connection between individuals. Example: "The couple was sitting close together on the couch, looking intimate as they shared whispered secrets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The two were spotted holding hands and looking intimate aboard a massive yacht at the Lady Joy Boat Party in Cannes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Inside, the house looks intimate but expansive; spare and modern but also comforting.

The New York Times

Experts like Larry Lustberg, owner of Stortz Lighting, also use the tricks of their trade to make ceilings appear higher and big spaces look intimate.

The New York Times - Style

On the surface, Coco Capitán's photographic self-portraits may look intimate, or personal.

Vice

Thanks to a matte finish and a light sensor that imperceptibly dims and lightens the screen to match its surroundings, it all somehow looks intimate and lovely, and not as one might fear cheesy and horrible.

Vice

It looks very intimate.

The New York Times - Sports

Theirs was a glaringly public confrontation that looked oddly intimate and personal.

The New York Times

"And it looks more intimate, because it makes the hall shorter".

The New York Times - Arts

These beautifully trained performers from Perm in Russia made war-horse classics look newly intimate and full of poignant nuance.

The New York Times - Arts

Monday's display was more savage than a ratings contest or a booking war; at times it looked as intimate and creepily intrusive as the elimination rounds of a particularly cutthroat reality show.

The New York Times - Arts

To our eyes these encounters look startlingly intimate.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking intimate" to describe an atmosphere or interaction that suggests a close, personal connection between individuals. It's effective for conveying a sense of warmth or affection.

Common error

Avoid using "looking intimate" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral or objective tone is required. Opt for phrases that describe the relationship or interaction without implying emotional closeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking intimate" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the appearance or demeanor of individuals or situations. Ludwig AI highlights its common usage in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking intimate" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe the appearance of closeness and affection between individuals. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, making it a useful phrase for descriptive writing, but it should be avoided in overly formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "appearing affectionate" or "seeming close" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking affectionate

Is a direct synonym, swapping a word with similar meaning.

seeming intimate

Directly replaces 'appearing' with 'looking'.

appearing affectionate

Emphasizes the outward display of affection.

seeming close

Focuses on the perception of nearness or proximity.

displaying affection

Focuses on the active demonstration of affection.

appearing connected

Highlights the visible bond or link between individuals.

sharing a close moment

Highlights a specific instance of intimacy.

appearing to be close

Adds the verb 'to be' to change the sentence structure.

looking like a couple

Implies a romantic relationship.

appearing like lovers

More explicitly suggests romantic involvement.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "looking intimate"?

It means they appear to be close and affectionate with each other, suggesting a personal or romantic connection.

What are some alternatives to saying "looking intimate"?

You could use alternatives such as "appearing affectionate", "seeming close", or "displaying affection" depending on the context.

Is "looking intimate" appropriate for formal writing?

It's generally more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider more neutral terms to describe relationships.

How can I use "looking intimate" in a sentence?

Example: "The couple was sitting close together, "looking intimate" as they shared a quiet moment."