intent

[in-tent]

See more synonyms for intent on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that is intended; purpose; design; intention: The original intent of the committee was to raise funds.
the act or fact of intending, as to do something: criminal intent.
Law. the state of a person's mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.

meaning or significance.

Idioms

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.

Origin of intent

1175–1225; Middle English < Late Latin intentus an aim, purpose, Latin: a stretching out (inten(dere) to intend + -tus suffix of v. action); replacing Middle English entent(e) < Old French < Late Latin, as above

Can be confusedintense intensive intents

Synonyms for intent

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1. See intention. 2. aim, plan, plot.

intent

[in-tent]

adjective

firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind: an intent gaze.
having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something: intent on one's job.
determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal: intent on revenge.
earnest; intense: an intent person.

Origin of intent

1600–10; < Latin intentus taut, intent, past participle of intendere to intend; cf. intense

Related formsin·tent·ly, adverbin·tent·ness, noun

Synonyms for intent

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1, 2. concentrated. 3. resolute, set.

Antonyms for intent

3. irresolute.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for intent

hell-bent, decided, preoccupied, resolved, firm, set, bent, watching, steady, bound, deep, alert, attending, eager, earnest, absorbed, attentive, committed, concentrated, decisive

Examples from the Web for intent

Contemporary Examples of intent

Some brought rocks and bricks, intent on clashing with the police.
St. Louis Shooting Is the Anti-Ferguson
Justin Glawe
December 25, 2014
The details differ but the intent is the same as in a high-profile case of police brutality.
‘Rectal Feeding’ Has Nothing to Do with Nutrition, Everything to Do with Torture
Russell Saunders
December 10, 2014
But Than Dar ignored them, intent on a traditional Buddhist funeral for her husband in Rangoon.
Hope and Change? Burma Kills a Journalist Before Obama Arrives
Joshua Carroll
November 11, 2014
Roy: I try to set an intent every morning and take time to think about whatever I hope to achieve that day.
Q&A With Designer Rachel Roy
Cynthia Allum
November 3, 2014
Dodge has also had something like 20 museum shows and is intent on establishing a museum that would also show his 225 posters.
Pryor Dodge's Two-Wheeled Obsession Is Now a Museum of Bike History
Anthony Haden-Guest
September 15, 2014

Historical Examples of intent

Surely there must have been God's intent in the making of this new-world Republic.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
She could see her father looking at her, intent, as if he wondered.
Life and Death of Harriett Frean
May Sinclair
While he was intent on these observations, Elinor turned to the painter.
The Prophetic Pictures (From "Twice Told Tales")
Nathaniel Hawthorne
He confessed to me that he was apt to go astray when intent on rhyme.
Biographical Sketches
Nathaniel Hawthorne
In "Lear," Shakespeare was intent on expressing his own disillusion and naked misery.
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris

British Dictionary definitions for intent

intent

noun

something that is intended; aim; purpose; design
the act of intending
law the will or purpose with which one does an act
implicit meaning; connotation
to all intents and purposes for all practical purposes; virtually

adjective

firmly fixed; determined; concentratedan intent look
(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 Formsintently, adverbintentness, noun

Word Origin for intent

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

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

Word Origin and History for intent

"purpose," early 13c., from Old French entente, from Latin intentus "a stretching out," in Late Latin "intention, attention," noun use of past participle of intendere "stretch out, lean toward, strain," literally "to stretch out" (see intend).

adj.

"very attentive," late 14c., from Latin intentus "attentive, eager, waiting, strained," past participle of intendere "to strain, stretch" (see intend). Related: Intently.

Idioms and Phrases with intent

intent

see to all intents and purposes.