First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
intend
verb in·tend \in-ˈtend\
: to plan or want to do (something) : to have (something) in your mind as a purpose or goal
: to plan for or want (someone or something) to do or be something
: to want (something that you control, provide, or have made) to be used for a particular purpose or by a particular person
Full Definition of INTEND
transitive verb
1
: to direct the mind on
2
archaic : to proceed on (a course)
4
a : to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan b : to design for a specified use or future
intransitive verb
See intend defined for English-language learners
See intend defined for kids
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Origin of INTEND
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
Related to INTEND
Rhymes with INTEND
addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end
INTEND Defined for Kids
intend
verb in·tend \in-ˈtend\
in·tend·edin·tend·ing
Definition of INTEND for Kids
: to have in mind as a purpose or goal : plan <I intend to do better next time.> <I didn't intend to hurt you.>
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