intent
1something 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 about intent
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.
Origin of intent
1synonym study For intent
Other words for intent
Words that may be confused with intent
- intense, intents
Other definitions for intent (2 of 2)
Origin of intent
2Other words for intent
Opposites for intent
Other words from intent
- in·tent·ly, adverb
- in·tent·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for intent
/ (ɪnˈtɛnt) /
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
to all intents and purposes for all practical purposes; virtually
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
Origin of intent
1Derived forms of intent
- intently, adverb
- intentness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with intent
see to all intents and purposes.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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