Intent vs. Purpose

Intent vs. Purpose — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Intent and Purpose

Intentnoun

A purpose; something that is intended.

Purposenoun

An object to be reached; a target; an aim; a goal. "purpose".

Intentnoun

(legal) The state of someone’s mind at the time of committing an offence.

Purposenoun

A result that is desired; an intention.

Intentadjective

Firmly fixed or concentrated on something.

a mind intent on self-improvement

Purposenoun

The act of intending to do something; resolution; determination.

ADVERTISEMENT

Intentadjective

Engrossed.

Purposenoun

The subject of discourse; the point at issue.

Intentadjective

Unwavering from a course of action.

Purposenoun

The reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way.

The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.

Intentnoun

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;

his intent was to provide a new translationgood intentions are not enoughit was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needshe made no secret of his designs

Purposenoun

(obsolete) Instance; example.

ADVERTISEMENT

Intentnoun

the intended meaning of a communication

Purposeverb

(intransitive) To have set as one's purpose; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.

Intentadjective

directed with intense concentration;

a fixed starean intent gaze

Purposeverb

To design for some purpose.

Intentadjective

wholly absorbed as in thought;

deep in thoughtthat engrossed look or rapt delightthe book had her totally engrossedenwrapped in dreamsso intent on this fantastic...narrative that she hardly stirredrapt with wonderwrapped in thought

Purposeverb

To discourse.

Purposenoun

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;

his intent was to provide a new translationgood intentions are not enoughit was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needshe made no secret of his designs

Purposenoun

what something is used for;

the function of an auger is to bore holesballet is beautiful but what use is it?

Purposenoun

the quality of being determined to do or achieve something;

his determination showed in his every movementhe is a man of purpose

Purposeverb

propose or intend;

I aim to arrive at noon

Purposeverb

reach a decision;

he resolved never to drink again