# intently

/ˌɪnˈtɛntɫi/ (US) · /ɪntˈɛntli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/intently
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to watch or listen very carefully and with great interest. You use this when you want to show that you are paying full attention to something.

For teachers: in a manner that shows great concentration or interest. Often used to describe the act of watching or listening with focused attention.

## Examples

- She watched the birds intently from her window.
- The students listened intently as the professor explained the complex theory for the first time.
- He stood by the window, watching the storm intently, as if hoping to decipher the patterns of the wind before the clouds broke.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.