intentionality

[ in-ten-shuh-nal-i-tee ]

noun

1. the fact or quality of being done on purpose or with intent:

   The author’s choice here may not have been intentionally racially charged, but discrimination and prejudice are often not rooted in intentionality.

2. an attitude of purposefulness, with a commitment to deliberate action:

   “Active hope” is a practice that does not require optimism; instead, it requires intentionality.

3. Metaphysics.
   1. the capacity of the mind to refer to an existent or nonexistent object:

      The mind has intentionality as it is directed toward something it affirms, desires, loves, or hates; but the something is not necessarily real.

   2. (said of consciousness or a sign) the fact or property of pointing beyond itself:

      We relate to the world through intentionality—the capacity of consciousness to be about states of affairs outside itself.

Word History and Origins

Origin of intentionality¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Medieval Latin intentiōnālitās, equivalent to intentional ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Most notable, are the voluminous curls Leslie is seen wearing in the promo image, a look that we’re told by hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, was intentional.

From Essence.com

On the preceding play, Los Angeles had taken an intentional safety, rather than risk a punt from deep in their own end.

From Washington Post

It was extremely important, in every conversation before making every hire, that we’re very intentional, about our team.

From Essence.com

Nine years into our marriage, my husband, Gibran, and I are still intentional about date nights, but to be honest, we’re usually more like a party of four—us and our two cell phones.

From Essence.com

The intentional use of screens in ordinary, everyday moments can lead to countless learning and growth opportunities with your child.

From Popular-Science

But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all live our lives with the intentionality that such a warning brings?

From The Daily Beast

Through presence and intentionality, the nurse is able to know the other in his or her living and growing in caring.

From Project Gutenberg

The absolute principles of causality and substance, of intentionality and unity, unquestionably give us the absolute Being.

From Project Gutenberg

We are experiencing in the world-war a fearful balancing-up with the rational intentionality of organised culture.

From Project Gutenberg

That intentionality should be cultivated, I need not spend many words in explaining.

From Project Gutenberg

Here it is that "intentionality" and "consciousness" come in.

From Project Gutenberg