Intentional
adjective /ɪnˈtenʃənəl/ — Done with clear purpose — not by accident.
Definition
Done on purpose; deliberate; reflecting conscious choice rather than habit or accident.
Beyond the definition
Intentional has become the word for how people aspire to live — not just reacting to life, but making deliberate choices about what they do, why, and with whom. 'Being intentional' means choosing rather than drifting.
Origin & history
From Latin intentio — stretching toward, attention, from intendere 'to stretch toward, direct attention'. An intentional act is one directed purposefully.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was intentional about how she spent her mornings — no phone until after breakfast.
Design that works is always intentional. Every detail was a choice.
Being intentional with your time is harder than it sounds when everything is demanding attention.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Intentional” when the meaning fits your context: Done on purpose; deliberate; reflecting conscious choice rather than habit or accident.
Synonyms
deliberate, purposeful, conscious, considered, planned
Antonyms
accidental, unconscious, habitual, reactive
Related words
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Choosing Not to Respond
An adult sits in a quiet, minimalist room with hands folded, deliberately ignoring the phone ringing on their desk.
The person's decision to remain still despite the phone ringing is an intentional choice. It reflects a conscious, deliberate action rather than an accidental one, showing that they have control over their response to their environment, even in the face of pressure.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Intentional" mean?
Intentional is adjective meaning: Done with clear purpose — not by accident.. Done on purpose; deliberate; reflecting conscious choice rather than habit or accident.
Where does the word "Intentional" come from?
From Latin intentio — stretching toward, attention, from intendere 'to stretch toward, direct attention'. An intentional act is one directed purposefully.