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Imply vs Intent - What's the difference?

imply | intent |

As a verb imply

is (of a proposition) to have as a necessary consequence.

As a noun intent is

a purpose; something that is intended.

As an adjective intent is

firmly fixed or concentrated on something.

imply

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • (of a proposition) to have as a necessary consequence
    • The proposition that "all dogs are mammals" implies that my dog is a mammal
  • (of a person) to suggest by logical inference
    • When I state that your dog is brown, I am not implying that all dogs are brown
  • (of a person or proposition) to hint; to insinuate; to suggest tacitly and avoid a direct statement
    • What do you mean "we need to be more careful with hygiene"? Are you implying that I don't wash my hands?
  • (archaic) to enfold, entangle.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.iv:
    • And in his bosome secretly there lay / An hatefull Snake, the which his taile vptyes / In many folds, and mortall sting implyes .

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . See

    Synonyms

    * (to have as a necessary consequence) entail * (to suggest tacitly) allude, hint, insinuate, suggest

    Related terms

    * implicate * implication * implicative * implicit * implicitness * implision

    See also

    * connotation * entail

    External links

    * *

    intent

    English

    Alternative forms

    * entent (obsolete)

    Noun

  • A purpose; something that is intended.
  • (legal) The state of someone’s mind at the time of committing an offence.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Firmly fixed or concentrated on something.
  • :
  • *2014 , Daniel Taylor, " World Cup 2014: Uruguay sink England as Suárez makes his mark," guardian.co.uk , 20 June:
  • *:Uruguay were quick to the ball, strong in the tackle and seemed intent on showing they were a better team than had been apparent in their defeat to Costa Rica.
  • *
  • *:And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed.
  • Engrossed.
  • Unwavering from a course of action.

    • Related terms

    * for all intents and purposes * intend * intense * intention * intensive * intent on * intently * to all intents and purposes * with intent