DEFINITIONS
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intent

1
[ in-tent ]
/ ɪnˈtɛnt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR intent ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
the act or fact of intending, as to do something: criminal intent.
Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
meaning or significance.

Content related to intent

For All “Intents and Purposes” vs. “Intensive Purposes”Both for all intents and purposes and for all intensive purposes are widely used to mean “for all practical purposes” or “virtually.” But which one is correct? The standard idiom is for all intents and purposes, not for all intensive purposes, though if you were to say these two forms out loud it might be hard to tell the difference between the two. For all …
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Words related to intent

essentially, morally, approximately, virtually, nearly, basically, supposedly, officially, evidently, seemingly, superficially, practically, much, externally, about, fundamentally, most, nigh, well-nigh, outwardly

Words nearby intent

intensitometer, intensity, intensive, intensive care, intensive care unit, intent, intention, intention movement, intention spasm, intention tremor, intentional

Idioms for intent

    to/for all intents and purposes, for all practical purposes; practically speaking; virtually: The book is, to all intents and purposes, a duplication of earlier efforts.

Origin of intent

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin intentus “an aim, purpose,” from Latin intentus “a stretching out,” equivalent to inten(dere) + -tus suffix of verbal action; replacing Middle English entent(e), from Old French, from Late Latin, as above; see intend

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intent

intense intents

synonym study for intent

1. See intention.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for for all intents and purposes

intent
/ (ɪnˈtɛnt) /

noun

adjective

firmly fixed; determined; concentratedan intent look
(postpositive; usually foll by on or upon) having the fixed intention (of); directing one's mind or energy (to)intent on committing a crime

Derived forms of intent

intently, adverbintentness, noun

Word Origin for intent

C13 (in the sense: intention): from Late Latin intentus aim, intent, from Latin: a stretching out; see intend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes (1 of 2)

for all intents and purposes

see to all intents and purposes.

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes (2 of 2)

intent

see to all intents and purposes.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.