intent
ihn-TEHNT
Intent (noun) means a plan or purpose behind an action. Example: “The court had to determine the intent behind his actions.”
noun
1
A plan or purpose behind an action.
"The court had to determine the intent behind his actions."
"It was clear from her tone that her intent was to help, not criticize."
"It was never my intent to upset anyone with that joke."
adj
1
Firmly focused or determined on something.
"She was intent on finishing the marathon, no matter how tired she felt."
"The cat was intent on catching the bird in the garden."
"He bent over the map, intent on finding the shortest route."
How to use intent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the purpose behind an act, or being firmly determined/focused on something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
criminal intent
intent on
good intent
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Word forms
- Plural
- intents
- Comparative
- more intent
- Superlative
- most intent
Fill the gap
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The court had to determine the _____ behind his actions.
Etymology
From Old French entent, ultimately from Latin intentus, "stretched, strained, attentive."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “intent” mean?
The word “intent” means a plan or purpose behind an action. In plain terms, either the purpose behind an act, or being firmly determined/focused on something.
How do you pronounce “intent”?
“Intent” is pronounced ihn-TEHNT (/ɪnˈtɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “intent” in a sentence?
Here is “intent” used in a sentence: “The court had to determine the intent behind his actions.”
What part of speech is “intent”?
Depending on how it is used, “intent” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “intent” come from?
The word “intent” comes from Latin. From Old French entent, ultimately from Latin intentus, "stretched, strained, attentive.".
Is “intent” a common word?
“Intent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “intent” have?
“Intent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a plan or purpose behind an action.
What is the difference between "intent" and "intention"?
Both refer to the plan or purpose behind an action and overlap in meaning, but "intent" is more formal and common in legal or fixed phrases such as "criminal intent" or "with intent to defraud." "Intention" is the more everyday word for what someone means to do.
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