definitions

intent

1
[ in-tent ]
/ ɪnˈtɛnt /
|||
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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

intensitometer, intensity, intensive, intensive care, intensive care unit, intent, intention, intention movement, intention spasm, intention tremor, intentional

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

1
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

SYNONYMS FOR intent

1 See intention.
2 aim, plan, plot.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR intent ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confused

intense intensive intents

Definition for intent (2 of 2)

intent

2
[ in-tent ]
/ ɪnˈtɛnt /

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

2
1600–10; < Latin intentus taut, intent, past participle of intendere to intend; cf. intense

Related forms

in·tent·ly, adverbin·tent·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for intent

British Dictionary definitions for intent

intent

/ (ɪnˈtɛnt) /

noun

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 Forms

intently, 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

Idioms and Phrases with intent

intent

see to all intents and purposes.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.