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Intent vs Incent - What's the difference?

intent | incent |

As a noun intent

is a purpose; something that is intended.

As an adjective intent

is firmly fixed or concentrated on something.

As a verb incent is

to provide an incentive to (a person or organization).

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

    incent

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (US) To provide an incentive to (a person or organization).
    • We need to incent people to innovate more.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2007, date=February 24, author=Damon Darlin, title=At Intuit, What Comes After Taxes?, work=New York Times citation
    • , passage=We try to incent people to do it earlier, which levels the load.}}
  • *
  • (US) To provide an incentive for (something).
    • We need to incent more innovation.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * Less common than incentivize at COCA. * Used relatively more than (incentivize) to refer to providing an incentive for an individual action.

    Related terms

    * incentivize * incentivise

    Anagrams

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