intent

¹

[ in-tent ]

noun

1. something that someone is intending or meaning to do or achieve; purpose or objective:

   The committee's original intent was to raise funds.

2. the act or fact of meaning to do something:

   Any identified individual found to have violated this rule with intent will be suspended from all participation in the forum.

   Synonyms: plot, plan, aim

3. Law. the state of a person's mind that directs their actions toward a specific object:

   He was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

4. the meaning or significance of something said, written, or done:

   I think this summary captures the intent of her lengthy speech.

   It’s difficult to understand the intent of your actions—please explain.

intent

²

[ in-tent ]

adjective

1. firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind:

   an intent gaze.

   Synonyms: concentrated

2. having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something:

   intent on one's job.

   Synonyms: concentrated

3. determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal:

   intent on revenge.

   Synonyms: set, resolute

   Antonyms: vacillating, undecided, indecisive, irresolute

4. earnest; intense:

   an intent person.

intent

/ ɪnˈtɛnt /

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

adjective

1. firmly fixed; determined; concentrated

   an 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

Derived Forms

• inˈtentness, noun
• inˈtently, adverb

Other Words From

• in·tent·ly adverb
• in·tent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intent¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Late Latin intentus “an aim, purpose,” from Latin intentus “a stretching out,” equivalent to inten(dere) + -tus suffix of verbal action; replacing Middle English entent(e), from Old French, from Late Latin, as above; intend

Origin of intent²

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin intentus “taut, intent,” past participle of intendere “to aim at” ( intend ); intense

Word History and Origins

Origin of intent¹

C13 (in the sense: intention): from Late Latin intentus aim, intent, from Latin: a stretching out; see intend

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing intent

see to all intents and purposes .

Synonym Study

See intention.

Example Sentences

Her character in this shaggy, affable message movie may be nameless, but the specifics of her performance howl with righteous intent.

From Los Angeles Times

But Amnesty said that Israel's stated war aims do not preclude nor justify acts of genocide, as "genocidal intent can co-exist alongside military goals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent."

From Salon

“Month after month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its intent to physically destroy them,” she continued.

From BBC

These Dodgers are intent on running it back, going even harder for an encore, sparing no expense in an attempt to become baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter-century.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is clear Trump and fellow Republicans seem intent to see Hunter and members of his family prosecuted further.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decided
• hell-bent
• preoccupied
• resolved