intent
intent Lexical Profile
intent Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An aim, purpose, or state of mind with which an act is done, especially in law.
"The prosecution had to prove that the defendant acted with deliberate intent to defraud the investors."
The true meaning, import, or significance of a document, law, or statement.
"The judge interpreted the statute according to the original intent of the lawmakers."
• adjective
Determined or resolved to do or achieve something (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"She was intent on finishing her master's thesis before the end of the semester."
Showing earnest and eager attention; deeply engrossed or concentrated.
"The students listened with intent expressions as the visiting professor explained the experiment."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'intent' and 'intention' are often interchangeable in everyday speech, 'intent' is favored in legal contexts to denote a specific state of mind accompanying an act (as in 'criminal intent'). As an adjective, 'intent' is frequently used predicatively followed by 'on' or 'upon' (e.g., 'intent on winning').
• Rhymes for intent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English via Old French from the Latin noun 'intentus' and adjective 'intentus' (meaning 'attentive' or 'eager'), the past participle of 'intendere' ('to stretch out, direct one's attention toward').