How do you pronounce intent?

The recorded pronunciation is /ɪnˈtɛnt/.

Where does intent come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

intent

/ɪnˈtɛnt/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.28 in modern English

Syllables: in-tent
IPA: /ɪnˈtɛnt/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Something that is intended.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The state of someone’s mind at the time of committing an offence.

Countable; Uncountable

adj

Firmly fixed or concentrated on something.

adj

Engrossed.

adj

Unwavering from a course of action.

Example Sentences

"a mind intent on self-improvement"
"Yea more, with his own hand he ſeem’d Intent to aggravate my woe;"
"And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed."
"Uruguay were quick to the ball, strong in the tackle and seemed intent on showing they were a better team than had been apparent in their defeat to Costa Rica."

Etymology

Existing since Middle English entente, from Old French entent or entente, ultimately from Latin intentus. Modified later in spelling to align more closely with the Latin word. Compare intention.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *tend-, entente, entent, intentus

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ɪnˈtɛnt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

intents (plural) entent (alternative, obsolete) more intent (comparative) most intent (superlative)

Derived Forms

intentful intentness malintent nonintent subintent unintent

Phrases

authorial intent declaration of intent direct intent intent filter letter of intent mopery with intent to creep mopery with intent to gawk oblique intent

Frequently Paired Words

for all intents and purposes intend intense intensive intention intently intent on to all intents and purposes

Synonyms

captive absorbed engrossed enwrapped wrapped rapt purpose intention aim design

Rhymes With

went event sent percent spent meant non-event cent prevent rent represent extent