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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
verb (used with object)
to have in mind as something to be done or brought about; plan: We intend to leave in a month.
to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, recipient, etc.: a fund intended for emergency use only.
to design to express or indicate, as by one’s words; refer to.
(of words, terms, statements, etc.) to mean or signify.
Archaic. to direct (the eyes, mind, etc.).
verb (used without object)
to have a purpose or design.
Obsolete. to set out on one’s course.
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Origin of intend
1250–1300; <Latin intendere to stretch towards, aim at (see in-2, tend1); replacing Middle English entenden<Old French entendre<Latin, as above
synonym study for intend
1. Intend, mean, design, propose imply knowing what one wishes to do and setting this as a goal. To intend is to have in mind something to be done or brought about: No offense was intended. Mean is a less formal word than intend but otherwise a close synonym: He means to go away. Design implies planning to effect a particular result: to design a plan for Christmas decorations. Propose suggests setting up a program for oneself or offering it to others for consideration: We propose to beautify our city.
OTHER WORDS FROM intend
in·tend·er, nounmis·in·tend, verbpre·in·tend, verb (used with object)
Words nearby intend
intelligible, Intelsat, intemerate, intemperance, intemperate, intend, intendance, intendancy, intendant, intended, intendency
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Words related to intend
aim, contemplate, design, designate, destine, expect, mean, plan, propose, resolve, think, try, appoint, attempt, connote, decree, dedicate, denote, devote, endeavor
How to use intend in a sentence
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Masai is taking some time to process the ordeal, and intends to address it publicly at a later date.
-
Chapek said the company is “still intending it to be theatrical but we’re going to be watching very carefully” to determine whether it might move to a streaming platform.
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We had members of Congress who intended to challenge the election results opting not to after what happened.
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At a high setting, the cordless heated blanket can only stay warm for two hours, which may be an issue depending upon your intended use.
-
The corona passport is intended to speed a return to normal, but what it will look like is still under discussion.
-
He doesn’t actually intend to put this scene in the film—it’s a true home movie.
-
I do, however, intend it to sound mean about the reactionary, prejudice-infested place she comes from.
-
I was elected by the people of Brooklyn to do this job without fear or favor and that is exactly what I intend to do.
-
Worried this might turn people off from his performance, Khan said he didn’t intend to offend anyone.
-
He also said police intend to put their beloved family pet, a Staffordshire bull terrier named Excalibur, to sleep.
-
The student who does not intend to arouse himself need hope for no keen sense of beauty.
-
It would be useless to put you to the expense of drawings, until you have made up your minds on what you intend to have done.
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I shall be glad to hear from you soon, as I intend to go to Padstow in a few days and shall not return under a fortnight.
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I do not intend to vex or grieve you by any conduct of mine; nor do I mean to leave you, now you are both infirm and old.
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I intend leaving this evening for Bridgenorth, to ship the castings, both for Herland and Beeralstone.
British Dictionary definitions for intend
verb
(may take a clause as object) to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean
(tr often foll by for) to design or destine (for a certain purpose, person, etc)that shot was intended for the President
(tr) to mean to express or indicatewhat do his words intend?
(intr) to have a purpose as specified; meanhe intends well
(tr) archaic to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)
Derived forms of intend
intender, noun
Word Origin for intend
C14: from Latin intendere to stretch forth, give one’s attention to, from tendere to stretch
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
- intend
-
1) намерева́ться, име́ть в виду́;
what do you intend to do (или doing)? что вы наме́рены де́лать?
;
was it intended? э́то бы́ло сде́лано наме́ренно?
;
I didn’t intend to hurt you я не хоте́л причини́ть вам боль
;
I intended him to come я рассчи́тывал на то, что он придёт
;
I intended to have gone я намерева́лся пойти́ (но не пошёл)
2) предназнача́ть (for);
this portrait is intended for you
а) э́тот портре́т предназнача́ется для вас;
б)
ирон.
э́тот портре́т до́лжен изобража́ть вас
3) зна́чить, подразумева́ть;
what do you intend by your words? что зна́чат ва́ши слова́?
Англо-русский словарь. — М.: Советская энциклопедия.
.
1969.
Смотреть что такое «intend» в других словарях:
-
intend — 1. Intend is followed in standard usage by a to infinitive (We intend to go / We intended you to go), by a verbal noun (We intend going), or by a that clause (We intended that you should go). In the passive, it is followed by for in the meaning… … Modern English usage
-
Intend — In*tend ([i^]n*t[e^]nd ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Intended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Intending}.] [OE. entenden to be attentive, F. entendre, fr. L. intendre, intentum, and intensum, to intend, attend, stretch out, extend; pref. in in + tendere to stretch … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
-
intend — intend, mean, design, propose, purpose signify to have in mind as an aim, end, or function. Intend implies that the mind is directed to some definite accomplishment or to the achievement of a definite end {if one earnestly intends a conspiracy,… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
-
intend — in·tend /in tend/ vt: to have in one s mind as a purpose or goal did not intend to kill her Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. intend … Law dictionary
-
intend — ► VERB 1) have as one s aim or plan. 2) plan that (something) should be, do, or mean something: the book was intended as a satire. 3) (intend for/to do) design or destine for a particular purpose. 4) (be intended for) be meant for the use of.… … English terms dictionary
-
Intend — may refer to:* Intendant * Intended reader * Intending cross* Intend Change , a 1999 consulting businessee also* Intent * In * Tend … Wikipedia
-
intend — [in tend′] vt. [ME entenden < OFr entendre < L intendere, to stretch out for, aim at < in , in, at + tendere, to stretch: see THIN] 1. to have in mind as a purpose; plan 2. to mean (something) to be or be used (for); design; destine [a… … English World dictionary
-
intend — (v.) c.1300, direct one s attention to, from O.Fr. entendre, intendre to direct one s attention (in Modern French principally to hear ), from L. intendere turn one s attention, strain, lit. stretch out, extend, from in toward (see IN (Cf. in )… … Etymology dictionary
-
intend — [v] have in mind; determine add up, aim, appoint, aspire to, attempt, be determined, be resolved, connote, contemplate, decree, dedicate, denote, design, designate, destine, devote, endeavor, essay, expect, express, figure on, have in mind, hope… … New thesaurus
-
intend */*/*/ — UK [ɪnˈtend] / US verb [transitive] Word forms intend : present tense I/you/we/they intend he/she/it intends present participle intending past tense intended past participle intended 1) to have a plan in your mind to do something intend to do… … English dictionary
-
intend — in|tend [ ın tend ] verb transitive *** 1. ) to have a plan in your mind to do something: intend to do something: What do you intend to do about this? intend someone/something to do something: I never intended it to turn out like that. intend… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Other forms: intended; intending; intends
If you intend to do something, you mean to do it or have it in mind as a goal. Do you plan on getting your holiday cards in the mail before February this year? Then you intend on getting them out early.
The world is full of good intentions, meaning there are lots of people who intend to be nice, eat better, floss more, or pick up their dirty socks. But things don’t always go as planned. Your actions could produce results that you didn’t expect, specify, or ever intend — that might explain the well-known proverb, «The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.»
Definitions of intend
-
verb
have in mind as a purpose
-
“She was
intended to become the director”-
synonyms:
designate, destine, specify
-
verb
mean or intend to express or convey
“what do his words
intend?”-
synonyms:
mean
see moresee less-
types:
- show 7 types…
- hide 7 types…
-
emblematize, represent, stand for, symbolise, symbolize, typify
express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol
-
signify
convey or express a meaning
-
import, spell
indicate or signify
-
aim
direct (a remark) toward an intended goal
-
aim, drive, get
move into a desired direction of discourse
-
be, embody, personify
represent, as of a character on stage
-
epitomise, epitomize, typify
embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of
-
type of:
-
convey
make known; pass on, of information
-
-
synonyms:
mean, signify, stand for
-
signify
convey or express a meaning
see moresee less-
types:
- show 8 types…
- hide 8 types…
-
denote, refer
have as a meaning
-
convolute, pervert, sophisticate, twist, twist around
practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive
-
euphemise, euphemize
refer to something with a euphemism
-
come back, hark back, recall, return
go back to something earlier
-
identify, name
give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property
-
apply
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
-
slur
speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur
-
express, state
indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.
-
signify
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘intend’.
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in·tend
(ĭn-tĕnd′)
v. in·tend·ed, in·tend·ing, in·tends
v.tr.
1. To have in mind; plan: We intend to go. They intend going. I intended that you would go as well.
2.
a. To design for a specific purpose: A whisk is intended to beat eggs.
b. To have in mind for a particular use: I intended the flowers as a present to her.
3. To signify or mean: What did he intend by that remark?
v.intr.
To have a design or purpose in mind.
[Middle English entenden, from Old French entendre, from Latin intendere : in-, toward; see in-2 + tendere, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
intend
(ɪnˈtɛnd)
vb
1. (may take a clause as object) to propose or plan (something or to do something); have in mind; mean
2. (often foll by: for) to design or destine (for a certain purpose, person, etc): that shot was intended for the President.
3. (tr) to mean to express or indicate: what do his words intend?.
4. (intr) to have a purpose as specified; mean: he intends well.
5. (tr) archaic to direct or turn (the attention, eyes, etc)
[C14: from Latin intendere to stretch forth, give one’s attention to, from tendere to stretch]
inˈtender n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
in•tend
(ɪnˈtɛnd)
v.t.
1. to have in mind as something to be done or brought about; plan: We intend to leave in a month.
2. to design or mean for a particular purpose, use, or recipient: a fund intended for emergency use only.
3. to design to express or indicate, as by one’s words; refer to.
4. (of words, terms, statements, etc.) to mean or signify.
5. Archaic. to direct (the eyes, mind, etc.).
v.i.
6. to have a purpose or design.
[1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin intendere to stretch towards, aim at; see in-2, tend1]
in•tend′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
intend
Past participle: intended
Gerund: intending
| Imperative |
|---|
| intend |
| intend |
| Present |
|---|
| I intend |
| you intend |
| he/she/it intends |
| we intend |
| you intend |
| they intend |
| Preterite |
|---|
| I intended |
| you intended |
| he/she/it intended |
| we intended |
| you intended |
| they intended |
| Present Continuous |
|---|
| I am intending |
| you are intending |
| he/she/it is intending |
| we are intending |
| you are intending |
| they are intending |
| Present Perfect |
|---|
| I have intended |
| you have intended |
| he/she/it has intended |
| we have intended |
| you have intended |
| they have intended |
| Past Continuous |
|---|
| I was intending |
| you were intending |
| he/she/it was intending |
| we were intending |
| you were intending |
| they were intending |
| Past Perfect |
|---|
| I had intended |
| you had intended |
| he/she/it had intended |
| we had intended |
| you had intended |
| they had intended |
| Future |
|---|
| I will intend |
| you will intend |
| he/she/it will intend |
| we will intend |
| you will intend |
| they will intend |
| Future Perfect |
|---|
| I will have intended |
| you will have intended |
| he/she/it will have intended |
| we will have intended |
| you will have intended |
| they will have intended |
| Future Continuous |
|---|
| I will be intending |
| you will be intending |
| he/she/it will be intending |
| we will be intending |
| you will be intending |
| they will be intending |
| Present Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I have been intending |
| you have been intending |
| he/she/it has been intending |
| we have been intending |
| you have been intending |
| they have been intending |
| Future Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I will have been intending |
| you will have been intending |
| he/she/it will have been intending |
| we will have been intending |
| you will have been intending |
| they will have been intending |
| Past Perfect Continuous |
|---|
| I had been intending |
| you had been intending |
| he/she/it had been intending |
| we had been intending |
| you had been intending |
| they had been intending |
| Conditional |
|---|
| I would intend |
| you would intend |
| he/she/it would intend |
| we would intend |
| you would intend |
| they would intend |
| Past Conditional |
|---|
| I would have intended |
| you would have intended |
| he/she/it would have intended |
| we would have intended |
| you would have intended |
| they would have intended |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Verb | 1. |  intend — have in mind as a purpose; «I mean no harm»; «I only meant to help you»; «She didn’t think to harm me»; «We thought to return early that night»
mean, think design — intend or have as a purpose; «She designed to go far in the world of business» be after, plan — have the will and intention to carry out some action; «He plans to be in graduate school next year»; «The rebels had planned turmoil and confusion» purpose, purport, aim, propose — propose or intend; «I aim to arrive at noon» |
| 2. | intend — design or destine; «She was intended to become the director»
destine, designate, specify plan — make plans for something; «He is planning a trip with his family» mean — destine or designate for a certain purpose; «These flowers were meant for you» design — plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect; «This room is not designed for work» slate — designate or schedule; «He slated his talk for 9 AM»; «She was slated to be his successor» aim, calculate, direct — specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public |
|
| 3. | intend — mean or intend to express or convey; «You never understand what I mean!»; «what do his words intend?»
mean stand for, symbolize, typify, symbolise, represent — express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol; «What does the Statue of Liberty symbolize?» convey — make known; pass on, of information; «She conveyed the message to me» signify — convey or express a meaning; «These words mean nothing to me!»; «What does his strange behavior signify?» spell, import — indicate or signify; «I’m afraid this spells trouble!» aim — direct (a remark) toward an intended goal; «She wanted to aim a pun» aim, drive, get — move into a desired direction of discourse; «What are you driving at?» |
|
| 4. | intend — denote or connote; «`maison’ means `house’ in French»; «An example sentence would show what this word means»
signify, stand for, mean denote, refer — have as a meaning; «`multi-‘ denotes `many’ « signify — convey or express a meaning; «These words mean nothing to me!»; «What does his strange behavior signify?» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
intend
verb
1. plan, mean, aim, determine, scheme, propose, purpose, contemplate, envisage, foresee, be resolved or determined, have in mind or view She intends to do A levels and go to university.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
intend
verb
1. To have in mind as a goal or purpose:
2. To have or convey a particular idea:
The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
تعمّديَعْتَزِمُيَقْصُديَنْوي، يَعْتَزِميُوَجِّه
zamýšlethodlatmíniturčit
have til hensigtmeneberegne
aikoa
namjeravati
szánszándékoziktervezakar
ætlameina
･･･するつもりだ
…할 작정이다
ketinantisketinimasnorėti pasakytinorintis
domātgrasītiesparedzētsaprast
namenjennameravati
avse att
ตั้งใจที่จะ
demek-e yönelik olmakistemekkasdetmekniyet etmek
có ý định
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
intend
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
intend
(inˈtend) verb
1. to mean or plan (to do something or that someone else should do something). Do you still intend to go?; Do you intend them to go?; Do you intend that they should go too?
2. to mean (something) to be understood in a particular way. His remarks were intended to be a compliment.
3. (with for) to direct at. That letter/bullet was intended for me.
inˈtent (-t) adjective
1. (with on) meaning, planning or wanting to do (something). He’s intent on going; He’s intent on marrying the girl.
2. (with on) concentrating hard on. He was intent on the job he was doing.
noun
purpose; what a person means to do. He broke into the house with intent to steal.
inˈtention (-ʃən) noun
what a person plans or intends to do. He has no intention of leaving; He went to see the boss with the intention of asking for a pay rise; If I have offended you, it was quite without intention; good intentions.
inˈtentional (-ʃənl) adjective
(negative unintentional) done, said etc deliberately and not by accident. I’m sorry I offended you – it wasn’t intentional; intentional cruelty.
inˈtentionally adverbinˈtently adverb
with great concentration. He was watching her intently.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
intend
→ يَعْتَزِمُ hodlat have til hensigt beabsichtigen σκοπεύω να tener la intención de aikoa avoir l’intention de namjeravati avere intenzione ･･･するつもりだ …할 작정이다 van plan zijn mene zamierzyć pretender, tencionar намереваться avse att ตั้งใจที่จะ niyetlenmek có ý định 打算
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
transitive verb
1
a
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan
b
: to design for a specified use or future
4
archaic
: to proceed on (a course)
Synonyms
Example Sentences
I didn’t intend any disrespect.
We intended that she come with us.
Recent Examples on the Web
The operational types were intended to swat ships and submarines at sea without requiring a precision torpedo intercept.
—
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 10 Apr. 2023
The Megapack is intended as a massive battery to help stabilize energy grids, with the company saying each unit can store enough energy to power an average of 3,600 homes for one hour.
—Vlad Savov, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2023
It’s intended, instead, as an attention exercise.
—Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2023
What to Consider This bag is mainly intended to hold your laptop, along with other flat objects such as folders, cards, and documents.
—Austa Somvichian-clausen, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2023
The lawsuit filed in Washington state was intended to be a direct challenge to the Texas case.
—Pam Belluck, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2023
It never was intended to be.
—Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2023
The 2025 Ram 1500 REV is the brand’s first production electric pickup truck, and it’s intended to compete with rivals such the Ford F-150 Lightning and the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV.
—Car and Driver, 6 Apr. 2023
It’s intended to preserve the waiting period if the more comprehensive Senate Bill 348 passes and faces a court challenge, according to Prozanski.
—oregonlive, 6 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘intend.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch — more at thin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of intend was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near intend
Cite this Entry
“Intend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intend. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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