INTENT Definition & Meaning

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intent

[in-tent]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

something that someone is intending or meaning to do or achieve; purpose or objective.
The committee's original intent was to raise funds.
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: , ,
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.
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

[in-tent]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind.
an intent gaze.
Synonyms:
having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something.
intent on one's job.
Synonyms:
determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal.
intent on revenge.
Synonyms: ,
Antonyms: , , ,
earnest; intense.
an intent person.

intent

/ ɪ��ˈ��ɛ�Գ� /

noun

something that is intended; aim; purpose; design
the act of intending
law the will or purpose with which one does an act
implicit meaning; connotation
for all practical purposes; virtually

adjective

firmly fixed; determined; concentrated
an 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

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

intently adverb
intentness noun
��ˈ�ٱ�ԳٲԱ�� noun
��ˈ�ٱ�Գٱ�� adverb

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51�Թ� 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

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of intent¹

C13 (in the sense: intention): from Late Latin intentus aim, intent, from Latin: a stretching out; see _intend

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Idioms and Phrases

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.

see to all intents and purposes.

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Synonym Study

See intention.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But, he added, from what we can see in the videos, it doesn’t look like Padilla showed “intent” to cause harm and he was really far away.

From

ACC Henderson said: "police came under significant and sustained attack from rioters. It was clear that those involved were intent on destroying homes and businesses within the town and on attacking police."

From

He added Dighton had wanted to make a statement that the government had failed in its duties to uphold law and order and his attack had involved "significant planning" with the intent of "serious violence".

From

For some of those carrying foreign flags, the intent was to connect a disparate community of demonstrators, they said.

From

"I think we definitely showed more intent today. I think that will probably be the way we go about it," he added.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

decided��
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preoccupied��
resolved��

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

intensive care unit intention

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