intention

Everyday

1. What you plan or mean to do: your aim or purpose. tree →
2. (law, ethics) What you meant to happen: in ethics and law it matters whether harm was done on purpose or by accident. tree →
3. (church) A special purpose or person that a prayer or Mass is offered for: «Mass for the intentions of…». tree →
4. (old-fashioned) «His intentions» can mean whether a man plans to marry someone. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics lessons pupils weigh intentions against consequences: «She meant well.» In school a teacher may share a «learning intention» (what pupils will learn). In stories a character's good or bad intentions drive the plot. Phrases: «good intentions», «with the intention of», «have no intention of», «learning intention», «the road to hell is paved with good intentions».

Examples

• My intention was to help, not to make a mess. tree →
• I have no intention of going to bed early! tree →
• She went to the shop with the intention of buying bread. tree →
• Our learning intention today is to add fractions. tree →
• He had good intentions but forgot. tree →
• The priest offered the Mass for the intentions of the sick. tree →
• The judge asked about the man's intention. tree →
• The best intentions will not always ensure success. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: intend; adjective: intentional (on purpose); adverb: intentionally. «Have no intention of + -ing», not «to». Similar: aim, plan, purpose.