intent
gb/ɪntˈɛnt/ us/ɪntˈɛnt/
B2
English
~ 5600
szándék, cél, eltökélt, elmélyült, bűnös szándék, szándékosság, jelentés, mondanivaló
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s intent to [verb]
Her intent was to help, not to cause trouble.
Az volt a szándéka, hogy segítsen, nem az, hogy bajt okozzon.
The manager explained the intent behind the new rules.
A vezető elmagyarázta, mi volt az új szabályok célja.
He wrote a short note to clarify his intent.
Some people questioned the government's true intent in passing the law.
The contract does not match the original intent of the parties.
Learner examples
My intent was to call you yesterday.
Az volt a szándékom, hogy tegnap felhívjalak.
Her intent is to start her own business.
Az a szándéka, hogy saját vállalkozást indítson.
They had good intent, but the plan failed.
Please tell me your intent before you act.
The teacher asked about the writer's intent in this paragraph.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "intent" (noun) with "intense" (adjective). They may also say *"I have an intent to"* in casual speech, where native speakers more often say "I intend to" or "I plan to". Use "intent" more in formal or careful contexts, especially in writing.
Meaning
planned purpose behind an action
Collocations
clear intent
|original intent
|good intent
|express intent
|with the intent to
|true intent
Synonyms
intention (The most common everyday word for what someone plans or wants to do.)
Antonyms
accident (An event that happens without a plan or purpose.)
Themes
thinking
|communication
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The reason or plan in your mind when you do something.
The purpose or plan that someone has in mind when they do something.
B2
2
eltökélt
B2
Usage pattern:
be intent on [verb+ing]
She is intent on becoming a doctor, no matter how long it takes.
Eltökélt abban, hogy orvos lesz, bármennyi ideig tart is.
The company seems intent on cutting costs this year.
Úgy tűnik, a vállalat eltökélt abban, hogy idén csökkentse a költségeket.
He walked past us, intent on catching the last train.
They are intent on changing the way the system works.
Despite the difficulties, he remained intent on finishing the project.
Learner examples
She is intent on passing the exam.
Eltökélt abban, hogy sikeresen letegye a vizsgát.
He is intent on saving more money this year.
Eltökélt abban, hogy idén több pénzt tegyen félre.
The coach is intent on improving the team.
They seem intent on moving to another country.
I am intent on learning English well.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"intent to"* with an adjective structure, as in *"She is intent to win"*. The natural pattern is "be intent on [verb+ing]": "She is intent on winning." Also, do not confuse with the verb "intend"; you say "I intend to win" but "I am intent on winning."
Meaning
firmly determined to do something
Collocations
intent on winning
|intent on success
|firmly intent
|clearly intent on
|so intent on
|seem intent on
Synonyms
determined (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and neutral in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
uninterested (Shows no desire or determination to achieve something.)
Themes
personality
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very serious and sure that you will do something, and focused on that goal.
Firmly decided and focused on achieving something, usually shown in attitude or behavior.
C1
3
elmélyült
B2
Usage pattern:
intent [look/gaze/expression]
The children sat in intent silence as the story began.
A gyerekek elmélyült csendben ültek, amikor elkezdődött a mese.
She listened with an intent expression on her face.
Elmélyült arckifejezéssel figyelt.
An intent crowd watched the final moments of the match.
He met her with an intent gaze, waiting for her answer.
The audience was intent, hanging on the speaker's every word.
Learner examples
The students were intent as the teacher spoke.
A diákok elmélyülten figyeltek, miközben a tanár beszélt.
He watched the game with an intent look.
Elmélyült tekintettel nézte a meccset.
She was an intent listener during the meeting.
They sat in intent silence before the test.
I saw his intent eyes as he read the letter.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the "determined" sense and try to say *"He is intent to the movie"* to mean he is watching closely. Instead, use patterns like "intent look", "intent gaze", or "be intent on [something]" when the focus is on attention.
Meaning
showing focused, serious attention
Collocations
intent gaze
|intent look
|intent expression
|intent listener
|intent silence
|watch with intent eyes
Synonyms
attentive (Focuses on careful listening or watching; slightly softer and more neutral.)
Antonyms
distracted (Unable to give full attention because the mind is on other things.)
Themes
perception
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Looking at or listening to something very carefully and seriously.
Showing strong concentration and serious attention on something.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
szándékosság
C1
Usage pattern:
intent to commit [a crime]
The prosecution must prove that he had the intent to commit fraud.
Az ügyészségnek bizonyítania kell, hogy szándékában állt csalást elkövetni.
She was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Azzal vádolták, hogy súlyos testi sértés okozásának szándékával támadott meg valakit.
The jury decided that there was no criminal intent behind his actions.
Because the act was accidental, the court found a lack of intent.
Evidence of intent is a key part of the case.
Learner examples
The lawyer argued that his client had no criminal intent.
Az ügyvéd azzal érvelt, hogy ügyfelének nem volt bűnös szándéka.
Police are trying to prove his intent to steal the car.
A rendőrség azt próbálja bizonyítani, hogy szándékában állt ellopni az autót.
She was arrested for assault with intent to rob.
The judge asked about the man's intent when he hit the other person.
In many crimes, the court must decide the intent of the person.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in legal English "intent" is often a specific technical idea, different from everyday "intention". In this sense, it usually appears in fixed phrases like "criminal intent" or "with intent to" and often needs a legal context.
Meaning
mental decision to do something, esp. crime
Collocations
criminal intent
|intent to commit murder
|prove intent
|show intent
|with intent to
|lack of intent
Synonyms
premeditation (A legal term stressing that the action was thought about and planned before it was done.)
Antonyms
negligence (In law, harm caused by carelessness rather than by a planned decision to do it.)
Themes
law
|crime
Definition
In legal language, the plan in a person's mind to do something, usually a crime.
In law, the state of mind in which a person decides to carry out a particular act, especially a criminal one.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
the intent of [a text/law/statement]
Some critics focus on authorial intent when analyzing literature.
Egyes kritikusok az irodalmi művek elemzésekor a szerzői szándékra összpontosítanak.
The court tried to follow the original intent of the constitution.
A bíróság megpróbálta az alkotmány eredeti szándékát követni.
Her statement was taken out of context, and her intent was misunderstood.
We need to be clear about the intent of this policy document.
The design is simple, but its intent is powerful.
Learner examples
The teacher asked about the author's intent in this story.
A tanár azt kérdezte, mi volt a szerző szándéka ezzel a történettel.
Many people argue about the intent of that law.
Sokan vitatkoznak azon, mi volt annak a törvénynek a szándéka.
His words sounded rude, but his intent was good.
We did not understand the intent of the message.
She explained the intent behind her video.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "intent" here is always negative, as in crime, but it can be positive or neutral. They may also confuse "intent" (what the writer meant) with "effect" (how the reader feels).
Meaning
planned meaning behind words
Collocations
authorial intent
|original intent
|legislative intent
|the intent of the law
|clarify the intent
|misunderstand the intent
Synonyms
meaning (A broad word for what something communicates; "intent" stresses what the creator wanted it to mean.)
Antonyms
misinterpretation (A wrong understanding of what was meant or intended.)
Themes
communication
|law
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Definition
What a person wants to say or show when they use words or actions.
The meaning or idea that a speaker, writer, or creator wants to communicate through words or actions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intent
IPA
GB/ɪntˈɛnt/
US/ɪntˈɛnt/
Syllables & stress
in - tent (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intent
Noun
- Base: intent
- Plural: intent, intents
Word family
Forms
intents
noun
Core family
Related words
intently
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unintentional
adjective
unintentionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
intentionality
noun
Expressions
be intent on
1/bˈi ɪntˈɛnt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
be firmly determined to do
To be very serious and sure that you will do something, and to focus on that goal.
Examples
- He is intent on changing his career this year.
- They are intent on making this project a success.
- I was so intent on finishing the report that I skipped lunch.
criminal intent
1/kɹˈɪmənəl ɪntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
technical
decision to commit a crime
The plan in a person's mind to do a crime.
Examples
- The jury found that there was clear criminal intent.
- Without proof of criminal intent, the charges may be dropped.
- The lawyer argued that his client had no criminal intent.
intent on
1/ɪntˈɛnt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
firmly determined about something
Very serious and focused on doing or getting something.
Examples
- She is intent on proving that she can succeed on her own.
- They seemed intent on ignoring all the warnings.
- The team is intent on winning the championship this year.
with intent
1/wˈɪθ ɪntˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
technical
having a planned harmful purpose
In legal language, used to say that someone acted with a planned purpose, often to do something bad.
Examples
- He was charged with assault with intent.
- The court must decide whether she acted with intent or by accident.
with intent to
1/wˈɪθ ɪntˈɛnt tə/
fixed phrase
formal
having a planned purpose to do
Having a clear plan or purpose to do something, often used in legal or formal language.
Examples
- He was arrested for entering the building with intent to steal.
- The email was sent with intent to inform, not to criticize.
- She traveled to the city with intent to find a new job.