Etymology Map
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Intimate

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means closely acquainted; to hint

Where does the word "intimate" come from? It comes from Latin intimus, passing through Late Latin before entering English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
intimus
Latin · ancient
"innermost"
superlative of 'intus', within
2
Stage 2 of 3
intimare
Late Latin · ancient
"to make known"
meant to put into, then to make known publicly
3
Stage 3 of 3
intimate
English · 1630s
"innermost"
both 'intimate' as close and 'to intimate', to hint, come from this
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Read the full story

Intimate’s story begins in Latin: intimus meant “innermost.” Superlative of 'intus', within. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as intimare. Meant to put into, then to make known publicly. It reached English by 1630s as intimate. Both 'intimate' as close and 'to intimate', to hint, come from this. Today, intimate means closely acquainted; to hint.