intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

intended; intending; intends

transitive verb

1

a

: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan

b

: to design for a specified use or future

2

a

: signify, mean

b

: to refer to

3

: to direct the mind on

4

archaic : to proceed on (a course)

intransitive verb

archaic : set out, start

intender noun

Synonyms

• aim
• allow [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• aspire
• calculate
• contemplate
• design
• go [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• look
• mean
• meditate
• plan
• propose
• purport
• purpose

Examples of intend in a Sentence

I didn't intend any disrespect.

We intended that she come with us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her kids are also receiving a more significant portion of the estate than was intended. —R. Eric Thomas, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

Given the laptop-class CPU and GPU, only the RAM and storage are intended to be readily user-accessible—the chips are locked down and facing toward the cooling system that occupies the other half of the case. —PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024

The company intends to raise additional funds through public or private offerings to support its operations and business plan. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024

Ghost network regulations are intended to keep provider listings as close to error-free as possible. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 14 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

intend

verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

: to have in mind as a purpose or aim : plan

intends to travel abroad next year

Legal Definition

intend

transitive verb

in·​tend in-ˈtend 

: to have in one's mind as a purpose or goal

did not intend to kill her