VocabDictionary

true intention

/truː ɪnˈtɛn.ʃən/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

The genuine, underlying purpose, goal, or design behind a person's actions, often contrasted with what they publicly claim or pretend.

Example Sentences:
  • Despite his polite words, his true intention was to undermine her leadership.
  • It took hours of conversation before she finally revealed her true intention.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “true intention”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the combination of the Middle English 'true' (from Old English 'trīewe', meaning faithful, trustworthy, or genuine) and 'intention' (from Latin 'intentio', meaning stretching, straining, or purpose, derived from 'intendere' meaning to turn one's mind toward). Together, the phrase describes an authentic, unmasked purpose or inner objective behind an action.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone dropping their polite mask to reveal their 'true' (genuine) 'intention' (goal).

Frequently Asked Questions About “true intention

1. What is the meaning of “true intention” in English?

In English, true intention (noun) is defined as: “The genuine, underlying purpose, goal, or design behind a person's actions, often contrasted with what they publicly claim or pretend.”.

2. How do you use “true intention” in a sentence?

Despite his polite words, his true intention was to undermine her leadership.

3. What are English synonyms of “true intention”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “true intention”?

Derived from the combination of the Middle English 'true' (from Old English 'trīewe', meaning faithful, trustworthy, or genuine) and 'intention' (from Latin 'intentio', meaning stretching, straining, or purpose, derived from 'intendere' meaning to turn one's mind toward). Together, the phrase describes an authentic, unmasked purpose or inner objective behind an action.