intent
1 Americannoun
-
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.
-
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.
idioms
adjective
-
firmly or steadfastly fixed or directed, as the eyes or mind.
an intent gaze.
- Synonyms:
- concentrated
-
having the attention sharply focused or fixed on something.
intent on one's job.
- Synonyms:
- concentrated
-
determined or resolved; having the mind or will fixed on some goal.
intent on revenge.
- Antonyms:
- vacillating, undecided, indecisive, irresolute
-
an intent person.
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
Related Words
See intention.
Other Word Forms
- intently adverb
- intentness noun
Etymology
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
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.
DJ Versatile said she wanted the black community to understand that the remarks "do not represent as intent or belief and that they are factors of an involuntary disability".
From BBC
But the agency can dig into a tax return at any time if a false or fraudulent tax return was filed “with the intent to evade tax,” according to the tax code.
From MarketWatch
On Friday, the court cleared Kejriwal and 23 others, saying there was "no overarching conspiracy or criminal intent in the excise policy".
From BBC
Now it’s based on natural language, providing context, expressing intent and thinking critically.
Kim Jong Un has declared his intent to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal and operational range - calling on the United States to respect his country's nuclear power, in a rare message to Washington.
From BBC
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.
