Intend Meaning
Intend Definition & Usage
To have a specific purpose or goal in mind, or to plan to do something.
Examples
- "I intend to finish the report by tomorrow."
- "She intends to start her own business next year."
- "They intend to travel to Japan for their anniversary."
- "The company intends to expand its operations overseas."
- "He intends to propose to her during their vacation."
To convey a particular meaning or implication through words or actions.
Examples
- "What do you intend by that comment?"
- "His actions were intended to upset her."
- "The statement was intended to clarify the policy."
- "Her smile was intended as a sign of approval."
- "The law was intended to protect the environment."
To aim for a specific outcome or effect.
Examples
- "The company intends to increase profits by 20% this year."
- "The new law is intended to reduce pollution levels."
- "He intends his words to encourage more participation."
- "The advertisement is intended to attract younger audiences."
- "They intend their work to inspire future generations."
Cultural Context
The word 'intend' has its roots in Latin, where 'intendere' meant 'to stretch towards' or 'to aim'. In modern English, it has evolved to primarily denote the planning or decision-making process regarding a future action. Its usage is widespread in both personal and professional contexts, reflecting our inclination to make conscious choices about our goals and objectives.
The Unwritten Plans
Story
The Unwritten Plans
Sarah sat at her desk, staring at the calendar. The end of the year was approaching, and the pile of unfinished work seemed to mock her every time she looked up. She had intended to finish it all last week, but things had gotten in the way. Now, with only a few days left, she needed to push herself to complete it. Her boss, Mr. Stevens, had specifically asked for the report by Friday. He intended to present it at the company meeting, where important decisions would be made about the next year's budget. He always made his intentions clear, and Sarah respected that about him. It gave her a sense of direction, even though the pressure sometimes felt overwhelming. As she typed away, Sarah’s mind wandered to other things she had intended to do. She had planned to visit her family over the holiday, but with the workload mounting, she had to put that off. 'I really intended to spend more time with them this year,' she thought, but sometimes life had different plans. Just as she was finishing the last few lines of her report, an email notification popped up. It was from her colleague, Tom. 'I intend to finalize the project proposal tomorrow. Let’s discuss the presentation details later in the afternoon,' it read. His words were clear, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. She wasn’t sure she could trust him to stick to his intentions. After sending her report to Mr. Stevens, Sarah decided to take a short break. She intended to relax for a few minutes before getting back to work. As she sat with a cup of tea, she reflected on her own intentions for the future. She wasn’t sure where her career was headed, but she knew one thing: she intended to make the most of the opportunities that came her way. The week passed by in a blur of emails, meetings, and deadlines. Sarah met her goal, and Mr. Stevens was pleased with her work. But even more importantly, Sarah had come to realize that it wasn’t enough just to have good intentions. It was the actions that followed that made all the difference. As she prepared for her family visit, Sarah smiled to herself. She intended to truly enjoy her time with them, without any work distractions. It was a promise she made to herself, one she intended to keep.