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
   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

Both firms extensively invest in Opportunity Zone businesses that hold to the original intent of the OZ legislation.

From Fortune

Whatever you do, don’t call Red Ventures an intent media company.

From Digiday

The post Google custom audiences, the combo of custom affinity and custom intent audiences, now live appeared first on Search Engine Land.

From Search Engine Land

Any existing custom intent or custom affinity audiences you have will automatically be migrated into custom audiences.

From Search Engine Land

Moreover, Derrida argues, since all we have access to is the signifier, for all intents and purposes, the signified does not really exist.

From Vox

Submission is set in a France seven years from now that is dominated by a Muslim president intent on imposing Islamic law.

From The Daily Beast

Some brought rocks and bricks, intent on clashing with the police.

From The Daily Beast

A twinned, imagined narrative of a fictitious Fidel Castro and a Miami exile intent on assassinating him.

From The Daily Beast

The details differ but the intent is the same as in a high-profile case of police brutality.

From The Daily Beast

Men and women of good intent who simply seek “the truth” upon which to base their opinions find themselves awash in folderol.

From The Daily Beast

This seems to be contrary to the spirit and intent of the act, which is primarily to centralize reserves in Federal Reserve Banks.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a good judge of men, that eagle-faced major; he knew that the slightest move with hostile intent would mean a smoking gun.

From Project Gutenberg

It was theatrical: he stood upon the stage, an audience watching him with intent expectancy, wondering upon his decision.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew that Alessandro had no knife, and had gone forward with no hostile intent; but she knew nothing beyond that.

From Project Gutenberg

She was too intent upon studying his own to hide them, and upon arriving at a final conclusion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decided
• hell-bent
• preoccupied
• resolved