intent
gb/ɪntˈɛnt/ us/ɪntˈɛnt/
B2
Inglês
~ 5600
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
B2
entity
1
planned purpose behind an action
The reason or plan in your mind when you do something.
Padrão de uso:
[someone]'s intent to [verb]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
intention (The most common everyday word for what someone plans or wants to do.)
Antónimos
accident (An event that happens without a plan or purpose.)
Colocações
clear intent
|original intent
|good intent
|express intent
|with the intent to
|true intent
Temas
thinking
|communication
|law
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Her intent was to help, not to cause trouble.
- The manager explained the intent behind the new rules.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- My intent was to call you yesterday.
- Her intent is to start her own business.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
firmly determined to do something
Very serious and sure that you will do something, and focused on that goal.
Padrão de uso:
be intent on [verb+ing]
Erro comum:
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."
Sinónimos
determined (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and neutral in everyday speech.)
Antónimos
uninterested (Shows no desire or determination to achieve something.)
Colocações
intent on winning
|intent on success
|firmly intent
|clearly intent on
|so intent on
|seem intent on
Temas
personality
|motivation
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- She is intent on becoming a doctor, no matter how long it takes.
- The company seems intent on cutting costs this year.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- She is intent on passing the exam.
- He is intent on saving more money this year.
- The coach is intent on improving the team.
- They seem intent on moving to another country.
- I am intent on learning English well.
adjective
C1
property
3
showing focused, serious attention
Looking at or listening to something very carefully and seriously.
Padrão de uso:
intent [look/gaze/expression]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
attentive (Focuses on careful listening or watching; slightly softer and more neutral.)
Antónimos
distracted (Unable to give full attention because the mind is on other things.)
Colocações
intent gaze
|intent look
|intent expression
|intent listener
|intent silence
|watch with intent eyes
Temas
perception
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- The children sat in intent silence as the story began.
- She listened with an intent expression on her face.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The students were intent as the teacher spoke.
- He watched the game with an intent look.
- 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.
Nome
technical
C1
state
4
mental decision to do something, esp. crime
In legal language, the plan in a person's mind to do something, usually a crime.
Padrão de uso:
intent to commit [a crime]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
premeditation (A legal term stressing that the action was thought about and planned before it was done.)
Antónimos
negligence (In law, harm caused by carelessness rather than by a planned decision to do it.)
Colocações
criminal intent
|intent to commit murder
|prove intent
|show intent
|with intent to
|lack of intent
Temas
law
|crime
Exemplos
- The prosecution must prove that he had the intent to commit fraud.
- She was charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The lawyer argued that his client had no criminal intent.
- Police are trying to prove his intent to steal the car.
- 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.
Nome
B2
entity
5
planned meaning behind words
What a person wants to say or show when they use words or actions.
Padrão de uso:
the intent of [a text/law/statement]
Erro comum:
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).
Sinónimos
meaning (A broad word for what something communicates; "intent" stresses what the creator wanted it to mean.)
Antónimos
misinterpretation (A wrong understanding of what was meant or intended.)
Colocações
authorial intent
|original intent
|legislative intent
|the intent of the law
|clarify the intent
|misunderstand the intent
Temas
communication
|law
|arts
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Some critics focus on authorial intent when analyzing literature.
- The court tried to follow the original intent of the constitution.
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The teacher asked about the author's intent in this story.
- Many people argue about the intent of that law.
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
intent
IPA
GB/ɪntˈɛnt/
US/ɪntˈɛnt/
Sílabas e acento
in - tent (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tent)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: intent
Noun
- Base: intent
- Plural: intent, intents
Família de palavras
Forms
intents
noun
Core family
Related words
intently
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unintentional
adjective
unintentionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
intentionality
noun
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.