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. 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

Other Word Forms

• intently adverb
• intentness 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.

see to all intents and purposes.

Synonym Study

See intention.

Example Sentences

If Mr. Safdie’s intent is to make the fights seem like meaningless barbarism, he has succeeded.

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In 2015, the Justice Department laid blame for the flash crash on a single British trader for “spoofing,” or posting orders with intent to cancel them before being filled.

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Remember when the Obama administration’s Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative nonprofits over their tax-exempt status—with the intent to limit speech it didn’t like?

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The two companies have signed a letter of intent and have yet to disclose specific terms in a regulatory filing.

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King said the intent is to help users make informed decisions about managing complex conditions such as diabetes.

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Related Words

• decided 
• hell-bent www.thesaurus.com
• preoccupied 
• resolved