What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Intimate vs Confidential - What's the difference?

intimate | confidential |

As adjectives the difference between intimate and confidential

is that intimate is closely acquainted; familiar while confidential is (meant to be) kept secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly.

As a noun intimate

is a very close friend.

As a verb intimate

is to suggest or disclose discreetly.

intimate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Closely acquainted; familiar.
    • an intimate friend
    He and his sister deeply valued their intimate relationship as they didn't have much else to live for.
  • Of or involved in a sexual relationship.
    • She enjoyed some intimate time alone with her husband.
  • Personal; private.
    • an intimate setting

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A very close friend.
    • Only a couple of intimates had ever read his writing.
  • (in plural intimates ) Women's underwear, sleepwear, or lingerie, especially offered for sale in a store.
    • You'll find bras and panties in the women's intimates section upstairs.

    Synonyms

    * (close friend) bosom buddy, bosom friend, cater-cousin

    Verb

    (intimat)
  • To suggest or disclose discreetly.
  • * '>citation
    •     The Kaiser beamed. Von Bulow had praised him. Von Bulow had exalted him and humbled himself. The Kaiser could forgive anything after that. "Haven't I always told you," he exclaimed with enthusiasm, "that we complete one another famously? We should stick together, and we will!"
        [...]
        Von Bulow saved himself in time—but, canny diplomat that he was, he nevertheless had made one error: he should have begun by talking about his own shortcomings and Wilhelm's superiority—not by intimating that the Kaiser was a half-wit in need of a guardian.
    He intimated that we should leave before the argument escalated.

    Related terms

    * intimacy * intimation

    External links

    * * English heteronyms English intransitive verbs ----

    confidential

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (meant to be) kept secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly
    • The newspaper claims a leaked confidential report by the government admits to problems with corrupt MPs.
  • (dated) Inclined to share confidences.
    • Sitting in front of the fire, they became quite confidential , and began to gossip.

    Synonyms

    * dern

    Derived terms

    * confide