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

Some will also convert to Roth accounts if the tax rate is favorable and they do not intend to leave the funds to charity upon their death.

Read more on MarketWatch

He claimed Khan "intended to encourage others" by documenting his journey from Sweden to the UK, sharing it with hundreds of thousands of viewers online.

Read more on BBC

The restrictions don’t amount to a ban and are intended to protect China’s national security, and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the country’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Tuesday’s speech will give Powell a chance to explain how the Fed intends to steer policy when some of its more important guideposts have gone dark.

Read more on Barron's

Despite never intending to teach, after taking part in the TV series, Mark now leads regular practice sessions with 20 people.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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