intend

[ in-tend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to have in mind as something to be done or brought about; plan:

   We intend to leave in a month.

   Synonyms: purpose, aim, expect, contemplate

2. to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, recipient, etc.:

   a fund intended for emergency use only.

3. to design to express or indicate, as by one's words; refer to.
4. (of words, terms, statements, etc.) to mean or signify.
5. Archaic. to direct (the eyes, mind, etc.).

verb (used without object)

1. to have a purpose or design.
2. Obsolete. to set out on one's course.

intend

/ ɪnˈtɛnd /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean
2. troften foll byfor to design or destine (for a certain purpose, person, etc)

   that shot was intended for the President

3. tr to mean to express or indicate

   what do his words intend?

4. intr to have a purpose as specified; mean

   he intends well

5. archaic.
   tr to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)

Derived Forms

• inˈtender, noun

Other Words From

• in·tender noun
• misin·tend verb
• prein·tend verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of intend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin intendere “to aim, assert, stretch out”; equivalent to in- ² + tend ¹; replacing Middle English entenden, from Old French entendre, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of intend¹

C14: from Latin intendere to stretch forth, give one's attention to, from tendere to stretch

Synonym Study

Intend, mean, design, propose imply knowing what one wishes to do and setting this as a goal. To intend is to have in mind something to be done or brought about: No offense was intended. Mean is a less formal word than intend but otherwise a close synonym: He means to go away. Design implies planning to effect a particular result: to design a plan for Christmas decorations. Propose suggests setting up a program for oneself or offering it to others for consideration: We propose to beautify our city.

Example Sentences

For a conviction on a charge of manslaughter, the jury must be sure that the defendants intended to cause “some physical harm”, he added.

From BBC

Woods said the reactor is not intended to replace a heat pump or furnace but to store energy for use later.

From Science Daily

There is no suggestion the firm did anything illegal or intended to profit from the scheme.

From BBC

Still, it is intended to signal that City Hall is standing with its large immigrant population in a deep blue city already well-known for resisting Trump.

From Los Angeles Times

Many new users have said their decision to join Bluesky was driven by Elon Musk, who heavily backed Donald Trump's election campaign and intends to remain involved in the new administration.

From BBC

Related Words

• aim
• contemplate
• design
• designate
• destine
• expect
• mean
• plan
• propose
• resolve
• think
• try