Word
intentional
Phoneticsin·ten·tion·al, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈtɛnʃənəɫ/
UK/ɪntˈɛnʃənəl/
Definitions
01done on purpose
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. done on purpose and not by accident.
adj. done with intention or design; deliberate rather than accidental.
“I am sure his rude comment was intentional and not just a mistake.”
“The defense argued that while the damage was extensive, it was not intentional but rather the result of systemic mechanical failure.”
Usage
Usually precedes the noun it modifies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02legal/philosophical intent
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical
adj. showing a clear plan or aim in a formal or legal way.
adj. relating to or characterized by conscious intent; in legal contexts, referring to an act committed with a specific mental state.
“The lawyer had to prove that the person's actions were intentional.”
“The court must determine whether the defendant's interference with the contract was intentional or merely a byproduct of their own business interests.”
Usage
Often appears in phrases like 'intentional tort' or 'intentional harm'.
Teaching tip
In legal English, this word is used to separate acts of will from acts of negligence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“These variations may not always be intentional, but they can have real impacts on students.” “However, their presence on an island inhabited by people strongly suggests an intentional and ongoing relationship.” Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin intentiōnālis. By surface analysis, intention + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/intentional