What does intentioned mean?
Intentioned means intended, deliberate, or done with a particular purpose in mind. It is a less common adjective that appears most frequently in the expression “well-intentioned,” as in a well-intentioned warning, suggestion, or attempt to help. The word can acknowledge that someone acted from good motives even when the result was unfortunate or unwelcome. Outside that familiar compound, “intentional” or “intended” will usually sound more natural in contemporary English. Intentioned can therefore make a statement about the aim behind a speech or action while leaving open the question of how successfully that aim was achieved. Although the word is understood in standard British and American English, it is literary or somewhat old-fashioned in general use.
adjectiveIntended or deliberate; done with a particular purpose in mind. It is most often encountered in the expression “well-intentioned.”
- Intended or deliberate in purpose; done with a particular aim in mind.
"Her well-intentioned advice was meant to offer reassurance rather than criticism."
"The criticism was well-intentioned, but it still caused offence."
"It was an intentioned change designed to improve the service."
Add one letter to “intentioned” and it becomes the more familiar “intentional”; in ordinary speech, however, “well-intentioned” is where this rarer word shines.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intentioned come from?
“Intentioned” was formed from “intention” with the suffix “-ed.” Its underlying sense is therefore “having intention” or “intended,” and it shares its Latin root with “intend,” “intention,” and “intentional.” The form is now encountered chiefly in the established compound “well-intentioned.”
How intentioned is actually used
This word is relatively uncommon in general use and is most familiar in the compound “well-intentioned,” where it describes a person or action guided by good motives. Its presence can suggest that an action caused an undesirable result despite benevolent intent.
Easily confused with intentioned
“Intentioned” is a relatively uncommon adjective meaning intended or deliberate, whereas “intentional” is the more usual term for something done on purpose.
“Intended” is the standard, neutral word for something planned or meant, while “intentioned” is less common and occurs chiefly in phrases such as “well-intentioned.”