Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

intent1

[in-tent]
See more synonyms for intent on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
  2. the act or fact of intending, as to do something: criminal intent.
  3. Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
  4. meaning or significance.
Show More
Idioms
  1. 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.
Show More

Origin of intent1

1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin intentus an aim, purpose, Latin: a stretching out (inten(dere) to intend + -tus suffix of v. action); replacing Middle English entent(e) < Old French < Late Latin, as above
Can be confusedintense intensive intents

Synonyms

See more synonyms for intent on Thesaurus.com
1. See intention. 2. aim, plan, plot.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for for all intents and purposes

intent

noun
  1. something that is intended; aim; purpose; design
  2. the act of intending
  3. law the will or purpose with which one does an act
  4. implicit meaning; connotation
  5. to all intents and purposes for all practical purposes; virtually
Show More
adjective
  1. firmly fixed; determined; concentratedan intent look
  2. (postpositive; usually foll by on or upon) having the fixed intention (of); directing one's mind or energy (to)intent on committing a crime
Show More
Derived Formsintently, adverbintentness, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for for all intents and purposes

intent

n.

"purpose," early 13c., from Old French entente, from Latin intentus "a stretching out," in Late Latin "intention, attention," noun use of past participle of intendere "stretch out, lean toward, strain," literally "to stretch out" (see intend).

Show More

intent

adj.

"very attentive," late 14c., from Latin intentus "attentive, eager, waiting, strained," past participle of intendere "to strain, stretch" (see intend). Related: Intently.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with for all intents and purposes

for all intents and purposes

see to all intents and purposes.

Show More

intent

see to all intents and purposes.

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