Word
intend
Phoneticsin·tend, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈtɛnd/
UK/ɪntˈɛnd/
Definitions
01to plan or purpose
B1 · Intermediate
v. to have a plan or a goal in your mind to do something.
v. to have a specific purpose or plan in mind; to resolve to perform an action.
“I intend to finish my report before the weekend starts.”
“The developers intend to renovate the historic warehouse, transforming it into a modern community hub while preserving its original facade.”
Usage
Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive or a 'that' clause.
Pitfall
I intend doing it tomorrow.
I intend to do it tomorrow.
While 'intend doing' is occasionally used, 'intend to do' is the standard and most common pattern for this verb.
02to design for a purpose
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to plan for something to be used by a specific person or for a specific reason.
v. to design, destine, or reserve something for a particular purpose or recipient.
“This book was intended for children, but many adults enjoy it too.”
“The scholarship was originally intended for students from low-income backgrounds, though the criteria have recently been expanded to include first-generation applicants.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice with 'for'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “intend” in context.
Verb
01. intend that everyone participates
“The organizers intend that everyone participates in the final discussion.”
verb + that-clause
02. intend to travel
“We intend to travel around Europe for three months next summer.”
verb + infinitive
Adverb
03. clearly intend to win
“The team clearly intends to win the championship this year.”
adv + verb + infinitive
04. fully intend to stay
“I fully intend to stay until the project is completely finished.”
adv + verb + infinitive
05. originally intend to leave
“They originally intended to leave at noon, but the flight was delayed.”
adv + verb + infinitive
Confusables
Pretend is acting out a fiction; intend is planning a future reality.
RememberPretend is a play; Intend is a plan.
Etymology
From Middle English intenden, entenden (“direct (one’s) attention towards”), borrowed from Old French entendre, from Latin intendō, intendere. See also intensive. Doublet of entendre. Largely displaced native Old English myntan (“to mean, intend; to think, suppose”), whence dialectal mint.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/intend