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intent

intermediateB2

/ɪnˈtɛnt/ · in-tent

The purpose or intention behind an action.

Meanings

nounformal

The purpose or intention behind an action.

کسی عمل کے پیچھے موجود مقصد یا نیت۔

منصوبہ

mansubah

Formal: خیال

Synonyms

purposeaimgoalمقصدارادہہدف

Antonyms

accidentchanceindifferenceحادثہبے اعتنائیغفلت

Common Collocations

  • malicious intent
  • clear intent
  • intent to commit

Example Sentences

His intent was to help others.

اس کا مقصد دوسروں کی مدد کرنا تھا۔

Us ka maqsad doosron ki madad karna tha.

She acted with good intent.

اس نے اچھے ارادے کے ساتھ عمل کیا۔

Us ne achay iraday ke sath amal kiya.

The intent behind the law is to protect citizens.

قانون کے پیچھے مقصد شہریوں کا تحفظ کرنا ہے۔

Qanoon ke peechay maqsad shehrion ka tahafuz karna hai.

Easily Confused With

content:While 'intent' refers to purpose, 'content' refers to the subject matter of something.
adjectiveformal

Determined to do something.

کسی چیز کرنے کے لیے پختہ ارادہ رکھنا۔

پختہ

pakhta

Colloquial: کڑا

Synonyms

determinedresolutefirmعزمثابت قدممُصمّم

Antonyms

indecisivehesitantwaveringغیر فیصلہ کنہچکچاہٹپھسلن

Common Collocations

  • intent on winning
  • intent gaze
  • intent listener

Example Sentences

She was intent on finishing the project by Friday.

وہ جمعہ تک منصوبہ مکمل کرنے میں مصروف تھی۔

Woh Jumma tak mansuba mukammal karne mein masroof thi.

He had an intent look on his face.

اس کے چہرے پر عزم کا اظہار تھا۔

Us ke chehre par azm ka izhar tha.

They are intent on changing the system.

وہ نظام کو تبدیل کرنے کے لیے پختہ ارادہ رکھتے ہیں۔

Woh nizaam ko tabdeel karne ke liye pakhta irada rakhte hain.

Easily Confused With

intense:While 'intent' refers to a purpose or determination, 'intense' refers to something that is strong or extreme.

Word Family

intention
nounنیت
intentionally
adverbجان بوجھ کر
intend
verbارادہ کرنا

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 'intent' as 'in-tent': you are inside a tent to achieve your aim.

Visualize a person sitting in a tent with a map and a clear plan.

✍️ Urdu Poetry

خوابوں کا پیچھا، نیت کی ہے بات، منزل پانے کو ہے، عزم کی ہے رات۔

Khawabon ka peechha, niyat ki hai baat, Manzil pane ko hai, azm ki hai raat.

Chasing dreams, it's a matter of intent, To reach the destination, this night is of resolve.

Unknown, Unverified

* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.

🗣️ Urdu Proverb

نیت صاف تو سب کچھ صاف

Niyat saaf to sab kuch saaf

If your intention is clear, everything else will be clear.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Latin "intentus" — to stretch out, strain

First known use: 14th century

The word 'intent' evolved from the Latin 'intentus', meaning an intensity of focus or purpose.