intend
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to have in mind as something to be done or brought about; plan.
We intend to leave in a month.
- Synonyms:
- purpose, aim, expect, contemplate
-
to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, recipient, etc..
a fund intended for emergency use only.
-
to design to express or indicate, as by one's words; refer to.
-
(of words, terms, statements, etc.) to mean or signify.
-
Archaic. to direct (the eyes, mind, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
to have a purpose or design.
-
Obsolete. to set out on one's course.
verb
-
(may take a clause as object) to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean
-
to design or destine (for a certain purpose, person, etc)
that shot was intended for the President
-
(tr) to mean to express or indicate
what do his words intend?
-
(intr) to have a purpose as specified; mean
he intends well
-
archaic (tr) to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)
Synonym Usage
Intend, mean, design, propose imply knowing what one wishes to do and setting this as a goal. To intend is to have in mind something to be done or brought about: No offense was intended. Mean is a less formal word than intend but otherwise a close synonym: He means to go away. Design implies planning to effect a particular result: to design a plan for Christmas decorations. Propose suggests setting up a program for oneself or offering it to others for consideration: We propose to beautify our city.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has intendedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have intendedperfect
-
has been intendingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
intendssingular 3rd person
-
is intendingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been intendingperfect progressive
-
am intendingprogressive 1st person singular
-
intendingparticiple
-
are intendingprogressive
Past
-
had intendedperfect
-
had been intendingperfect progressive
-
was intendingprogressive singular
-
intendedparticiple
-
intendedsimple
-
were intendingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of intend
First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin intendere “to aim, assert, stretch out”; equivalent to in- 2 + tend 1; replacing Middle English entenden, from Old French entendre, from Latin, as above
Explanation
If you intend to do something, you mean to do it or have it in mind as a goal. Do you plan on getting your holiday cards in the mail before February this year? Then you intend on getting them out early. The world is full of good intentions, meaning there are lots of people who intend to be nice, eat better, floss more, or pick up their dirty socks. But things don't always go as planned. Your actions could produce results that you didn't expect, specify, or ever intend — that might explain the well-known proverb, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."
Vocabulary lists containing intend
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We intend to reach the stadium," demonstrator Angel Villalobos told AFP on Tuesday.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Apollo Global Management said it doesn’t intend to make a firm offer for Bodycote, adding it continued to hold the company in high regard.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
This is what makes Mollen’s reference to dating the toxic man that is her son so disquieting: Why would you tell a 12-year-old boy he’s toxic unless you intend for him to be just that?
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026
"This is a lot to process, our hearts are heavy and we fully intend to continue to pursue answers for justice," her family said in a statement on Facebook.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
“The other Astrea made a record for herself. I intend that this Astrea shall set a record, too; the first Salem ship ever to enter Manila Harbor!”
From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
