intently
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of intently
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.
Vocabulary lists containing intently
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Refugee
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Listening intently, Barr seemed to understand both the truth and that telling it to the president would almost certainly cost him his job.
From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026
"When you find people your age that are on fire for Jesus, and are also searching intently, it can be really motivating and really inspiring, and just to know that you're not on your own."
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026
An AI boom has helped push tech stocks to record highs in recent months, but they are also volatile as global investors watch intently for any signs of a bubble.
From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026
There are evolving displays of solo and group dances, some madly driven, others intently introspective.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
Celia gently strokes the trembling dove, staring intently at its broken wing.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
