intend

American  

[in-tend] / ɪnˈtɛnd /

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.).

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verb (used without object)

1. to have a purpose or design.

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

intend British  

/ 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)

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Related Words

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 Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of intend

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

Example Sentences

"I intend to continue doing this for quite some time," he said, pointing out that his father just turned 102.

From Barron's

The new agency "is intended to respond to an increasingly unstable international situation, but it must not be allowed to unjustly infringe upon citizens' rights", the Mainichi Shimbun said in an editorial Friday.

From Barron's

He intends to file a motion for a new trial, his lawyer said.

From The Wall Street Journal

II intends to return 30% of its net asset value to shareholders on March 31.

From Barron's

"While our access controls and data protection policies remained intact, this behaviour did not meet our intended Copilot experience, which is designed to exclude protected content from Copilot access," they added.

From BBC

Related Words

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