performed by or expressing intention; deliberate of or relating to intention or purpose (of an object) existing only as the object of some mental attitude rather than in reality, as a unicorn in she hopes to meet a unicorn
See also intensional
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ten•tion•al /ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- done with intention;
deliberate;
planned:an intentional insult.
in•ten•tion•al
(in ten′shə nl),USA pronunciation adj.
in•ten′tion•al′i•ty, n.
in•ten′tion•al•ly, adv.
- done with intention or on purpose;
intended:an intentional insult. - of or pertaining to intention or purpose.
- [Metaphys.]
- pertaining to an appearance, phenomenon, or representation in the mind;
phenomenal;
representational. - pertaining to the capacity of the mind to refer to an existent or nonexistent object.
- pointing beyond itself, as consciousness or a sign.
- pertaining to an appearance, phenomenon, or representation in the mind;
- intention + -al1 1520–30
in•ten′tion•al•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged designed, planned. See deliberate.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged accidental.
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