intent

¹

[ in-tent ]

noun

1. something that someone is intending or meaning to do or achieve; purpose or objective:

   The committee's original intent was to raise funds.

2. 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: plot, plan, aim

3. 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.

4. 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

²

[ in-tent ]

adjective

1. firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind:

   an intent gaze.

   Synonyms: concentrated

2. having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something:

   intent on one's job.

   Synonyms: concentrated

3. determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal:

   intent on revenge.

   Synonyms: set, resolute

   Antonyms: vacillating, undecided, indecisive, irresolute

4. earnest; intense:

   an intent person.

intent

/ ɪnˈtɛnt /

noun

1. something that is intended; aim; purpose; design
2. the act of intending
3. law the will or purpose with which one does an act
4. implicit meaning; connotation
5. to all intents and purposes
   for all practical purposes; virtually

adjective

1. firmly fixed; determined; concentrated

   an intent look

2. postpositive; usually foll by on or upon having the fixed intention (of); directing one's mind or energy (to)

   intent on committing a crime

Derived Forms

• inˈtentness, noun
• inˈtently, adverb

Other Words From

• in·tent·ly adverb
• in·tent·ness noun

Word 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of intent¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing intent

see to all intents and purposes .

Synonym Study

See intention.

Example Sentences

But Moscow is now clearly intent on reclaiming the territory lost on its own soil.

From BBC

And if he gets his way on selections for some of the most important posts in government, he would put in place loyalists intent on blowing up the very departments they would lead.

From Salon

But Sunday’s Russian missile and drone attacks, which killed as many as 20 people, served as a stark reminder that Moscow is still intent on winning the war, on its terms.

From BBC

Despite the eight-year ban stopping him from running in an election, he has declared his intent to run again in the next elections, to be held in 2026.

From BBC

Still, he signalled his intent and if the defender took notice he was still powerless to do much about it.

From BBC

Related Words

• decided
• hell-bent
• preoccupied
• resolved