intent
/in'tent/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The intended meaning or purpose of something: "intent" refers to the specific meaning or objective that a person has in mind when communicating or acting.
- A person's aim or plan: It also denotes a determined intention or a goal that guides one's actions.
Adjective:
- Showing earnest and eager attention: When used as an adjective, "intent" describes someone who is completely focused and absorbed in what they are doing or observing.
- Determined to do something: It can also describe a state of being resolutely set on achieving a specific purpose.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The court must determine the intent behind the law. (The court must determine the purpose behind the law.)
- Her intent was to finish the project by Friday. (Her aim was to finish the project by Friday.)
Adjective:
- He was so intent on his book that he didn't hear the doorbell. (He was so absorbed in his book that he didn't hear the doorbell.)
- She gave him an intent look, waiting for an answer. (She gave him a very focused look, waiting for an answer.)
Advanced Usage
- "to all intents and purposes": In practice; virtually.
- The old system is, to all intents and purposes, obsolete. (The old system is, for all practical purposes, obsolete.)
Variants and Related Words
- Intention (n): A thing intended; an aim or plan. (Often used interchangeably with "intent" as a noun, though "intent" can sound more formal or legalistic.)
- It was not my intention to cause any offense.
- Intently (adv): With earnest and eager attention.
- The child watched intently as the magician performed.
- Intentness (n): The quality of being intent.
Synonyms
- Noun: Purpose, aim, objective, goal, design.
- Adjective: Attentive, focused, absorbed, engrossed, determined, resolute.
Related Phrases
- With intent to [verb]: With the deliberate aim of doing something (common in legal contexts).
- He was charged with possession with intent to distribute.
- Letter of intent: A document outlining an initial agreement between parties.
- The companies signed a letter of intent before the final contract.
Idioms
- Hell-bent intent: Having a very determined and often reckless intention to do something.
- He proceeded with hell-bent intent, ignoring all warnings.
Adjective
- giving or marked by complete attention to
- that engrossed look or rapt delight
- then wrapped in dreams
- so intent on this fantastic...narrative that she hardly stirred- Walter de la Mare
- rapt with wonder
- wrapped in thought
Noun
- the intended meaning of a communication
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
- his intent was to provide a new translation
- good intentions are not enough
- it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
- he made no secret of his designs