French word

intime

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tim/

Meaning

  • adjectivepersonal

Example

C'est une question intime.

It's a personal question.

Illustration for intime (personal)

More examples

Je partage peu ma vie intime.

I share very little of my private life.

Core concept

The private inner layer of a person, shared only within a close circle.

Common phrases

  • vie intime

    private life

  • relation intime

    close relationship

Similar words

personnel: Relating directly to an individual's position or personal experience.
privé: Kept private and not made available to the public.
proche: Describing a close, familiar, and deeply connected relationship.

Definition in French

Qui concerne la vie privée ou les sentiments personnels, et qui est réservé aux relations proches.

Word origin

French borrowed intime from Latin intimus, 'innermost', a source also related to the English word intimate.

Usage tips

  • Intime is narrower than privé when it highlights personal feelings or closeness rather than simple lack of public access.

Other meanings

  • intimateadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word