intend

To intend something is to have a plan or purpose in mind. It is what you mean to do. You might plan to bake a cake for your friend's birthday, or mean to spend the afternoon reading. Sometimes things do not happen the way you planned. A mischievous cat might be about to knock over a vase, but its owner certainly did not want that to happen. The word can also be used when talking about someone's purpose: "Her intentions were good, even if her methods weren't."

Imagine you're setting off on a journey. You have a destination in mind, a route you plan to take – that's your intention. To intend means to have a purpose or plan for something; it's the mental act of deciding what you want to achieve. For example: "I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but my words were misinterpreted," shows an unintended consequence despite good intentions.

"Intend" isn't just about future actions, though. It can also describe a design or purpose built into something. A safety feature on a car is intended to protect the driver in case of an accident. Or consider legal documents – they are carefully worded to express specific outcomes that someone wants.

The word carries weight; it suggests deliberation and a conscious decision. Saying "I intend to finish this project by Friday" is stronger than saying "I'll try." It implies commitment.

However, intentions don't always translate into actions. Sometimes life gets in the way! We might intend to exercise more, eat healthier, or learn a new skill, but following through requires effort and discipline. So while intending something is the first step, it's not necessarily the final one.