intend

[ in-tend ]

See synonyms for: intend intended intending intends on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to have in mind as something to be done or brought about; plan: We intend to leave in a month.
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.

Origin of intend

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin intendere “to aim, assert, stretch out”; equivalent to in-² + tend¹; replacing Middle English entenden, from Old French entendre, from Latin, as above

synonym study For intend

1. 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 words for intend

1	contemplate, expect, aim, purpose

See synonyms for intend on Thesaurus.com

Other words from intend

in·tend·er, noun
mis·in·tend, verb
pre·in·tend, verb (used with object)

Words Nearby intend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intend in a sentence

Masai is taking some time to process the ordeal, and intends to address it publicly at a later date.
Raptors president, sheriff’s deputy drop lawsuits over shoving incident at NBA Finals | Cindy Boren | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post
Chapek said the company is “still intending it to be theatrical but we’re going to be watching very carefully” to determine whether it might move to a streaming platform.
Disney took in nearly $5 billion less in revenue over the pandemic-riddled holidays | Steven Zeitchik | February 11, 2021 | Washington Post
We had members of Congress who intended to challenge the election results opting not to after what happened.
How Has The Nation Changed Since The Insurrection At The Capitol? | Micah Cohen (micah.cohen@fivethirtyeight.com) | February 11, 2021 | FiveThirtyEight
At a high setting, the cordless heated blanket can only stay warm for two hours, which may be an issue depending upon your intended use.
Best heated throw blanket: Bundle up with these electric blankets | PopSci Commerce Team | February 11, 2021 | Popular-Science
The corona passport is intended to speed a return to normal, but what it will look like is still under discussion.
Why Denmark’s “corona passport” is more of a promise than a plan | Bobbie Johnson | February 10, 2021 | MIT Technology Review

He doesn't actually intend to put this scene in the film--it's a true home movie.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I do, however, intend it to sound mean about the reactionary, prejudice-infested place she comes from.
Dems, It’s Time to Dump Dixie | Michael Tomasky | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I was elected by the people of Brooklyn to do this job without fear or favor and that is exactly what I intend to do.
New York's Next Killer-Cop Grand Jury | Jacob Siegel | December 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Worried this might turn people off from his performance, Khan said he didn't intend to offend anyone.
Defying Stereotypes, Young Muslim Writers Find Community Onstage | Julianne Chiaet | October 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He also said police intend to put their beloved family pet, a Staffordshire bull terrier named Excalibur, to sleep.
Ebola in Europe: What Went Wrong | Barbie Latza Nadeau | October 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The student who does not intend to arouse himself need hope for no keen sense of beauty.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge Southwick
It would be useless to put you to the expense of drawings, until you have made up your minds on what you intend to have done.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
I shall be glad to hear from you soon, as I intend to go to Padstow in a few days and shall not return under a fortnight.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick
I do not intend to vex or grieve you by any conduct of mine; nor do I mean to leave you, now you are both infirm and old.
The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
I intend leaving this evening for Bridgenorth, to ship the castings, both for Herland and Beeralstone.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for intend

intend

/ (ɪnˈtɛnd) /

verb

(may take a clause as object) to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean
(tr often foll by for) 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
(tr) archaic to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)

Origin of intend

C14: from Latin intendere to stretch forth, give one's attention to, from tendere to stretch

Derived forms of intend

intender, noun

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

Browse