intend

[in-tend]

verb (used with object)

1. 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

2. to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, recipient, etc..

   a fund intended for emergency use only.

3. to design to express or indicate, as by one's words; refer to.

4. (of words, terms, statements, etc.) to mean or signify.

5. Archaic.,  to direct (the eyes, mind, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to have a purpose or design.

2. Obsolete.,  to set out on one's course.

intend

/ ɪnˈtɛnd /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean

2. to design or destine (for a certain purpose, person, etc)

   that shot was intended for the President

3. (tr) to mean to express or indicate

   what do his words intend?

4. (intr) to have a purpose as specified; mean

   he intends well

5. archaic,  (tr) to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)

Other Word Forms

• intender noun
• misintend verb
• preintend verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of intend¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of intend¹

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Zbur, who was among the law’s authors, said the new Office of Civil Rights and the antisemitism coordinator are not intended to punish teachers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Putting aside any worries about where college sports are headed when one needs to explain anything about his biggest rival, the video had its intended effect, sparking cheers nearly a week before kickoff.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Military installations in South Korea, Japan and Guam maintain a U.S. footprint intended in part to deter Beijing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Canada-Alberta agreement indicates the province intends to submit an application for this revived pipeline by July 1 of next year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It intends to take on new debt and spend some $450 million to install a floating vessel to treat and transfer crude to tankers in federal waters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aim 
• contemplate 
• design 
• designate 
• destine 
• expect 
• mean 
• plan 
• propose 
• resolve 
• think 
• try