Words / B2

in-TENT/ɪnˈtent/

Intent is purpose — what someone means to do: with intent; intent to cheat; intent on finishing. Intention is close (already in the dictionary) and often more everyday. The email showed no intent to cheat. Legal: with intent. As an adjective: intent on. Mix-up: intense is strong feeling.

Meaning

What someone means to do; their purpose (often with intent).

Examples

• “The email showed no intent to cheat, the malpractice panel found.”
• “She was intent on finishing the practical, which is the adjective.”

Good to know

with intent; intent to + verb; intent on. Close noun: intention. Legal and panels. Trap: intense. Purpose, not volume of feeling.

Near in meaning

intention

New