The word "intimates" is spelt as /ˈɪntɪmɪts/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound is an unstressed /ɪ/, followed by the stressed syllable /nt/ pronounced as /ɪnt/. The next syllable is unstressed and has a short /ɪ/ sound. The final syllable ends with a voiceless /s/ sound, which is pronounced as /ts/. The word refers to close personal relationships or undergarments. Correct spelling is important to avoid confusion with the verb "intimidates."
Intimates refer to individuals who share a close or intimate connection with each other. The term is primarily used to describe people who are emotionally close, usually referring to close friends or family members. These are the people whom one feels comfortable sharing personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with, often sharing a deep bond and understanding.
In a broader sense, intimates can also refer to romantic or sexual partners who engage in an intimate relationship characterized by a high level of emotional and physical closeness. It encompasses a deep level of trust, vulnerability, and mutual sharing. Intimate relationships may involve elements of emotional support, deep conversations, physical affection, and sexual activity, all of which contribute to a strong connection between partners.
The term "intimates" can also refer to a category of clothing worn close to the skin or underwear. These garments are commonly used to represent the personal and private nature of one's body. Intimates typically include bras, panties, undershirts, and other undergarments that provide physical comfort and support.
Overall, the term "intimates" can refer to both the people with whom someone shares a close emotional bond as well as intimate garments worn against the skin. The meaning of intimates may vary depending on the context in which it is used.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "intimates" has its etymology derived from the Latin word "intimatus", which is the past participle of the verb "intimare". "Intimare" means to announce, impress deeply, or make known. In English, it eventually evolved into the verb "intimate" in the 17th century, which means to hint, suggest, or convey indirectly. Later, the noun form "intimates" emerged, referring to close or familiar friends, family members, or romantic partners, emphasizing the personal and private nature of these relationships.