intently

American  

[in-tent-lee] / ɪnˈtɛnt li /

adverb

1. in a firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed way, as with the eyes, ears, or mind.

   She sat there rapt, leaning on her elbows on the table, listening intently to us.

2. in a fully engaged or determined way that shows strength of purpose.

   I know that many others have been working on their versions of the project far more intently—and coherently—than I.

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Etymology

Origin of intently

intent ² ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

If you're studying something intently, you're probably leaning forward and you're oblivious to whatever is going on around you. Your attention is focused like a laser. If you're gazing intently into someone's eyes, you're hanging on to every blink of the eye, every nuance of expression. Maybe you're in love. When you do something intently, you do it with intensity. It's not a coincidence that intently sounds a lot like intensity, as they both come from the Latin intendere, made up of in- ("toward") and tendere ("stretch"). So when you're listening intently to a Bartók string quartet, you're stretching and straining to hear every note.

Example Sentences

Roxanne and Jeremy nodded along with me, listening intently.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

They listen intently as a health worker from the foundation lists different types of preventative HIV medication.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Investors would focus intently on terms related to contract sanctity and stability, as well as access to international arbitration.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

He had been intently studying it for several years while also working on his first novel, which would be published the following year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Bobby stood there for a moment, agape: He was just inches away from two players sitting at a table inside, intently moving pieces across a board.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• attentively
• closely
• keenly