What does intently mean?
Intently means with close, sustained attention or concentration. It is used when someone focuses their gaze, hearing, thoughts, or efforts on a particular person, action, or subject: a reader may study the text intently, while a listener attends intently to an explanation. The word has a formal, deliberate tone and is especially effective when the concentration involved is unusually strong or absorbing. It is not synonymous with “intensely” in every context: “intently” primarily describes directed attention, whereas “intensely” more often describes the strength of an emotion, sensation, or experience. Intently is also distinct from “intensively,” which refers to concentrated effort or a high degree of intensity rather than attention itself. The word is particularly useful for describing focused observation, careful listening, and concentrated study.
adverbWith close and sustained attention or concentration. It describes focusing one's gaze, thought, or effort on a particular person, activity, or matter.
- With close, sustained, and focused attention.
"She listened intently as the witness described what had happened."
"The students listened intently to the explanation of the experiment."
"He stared intently at the markings on the ancient stone."
Intently captures the difference between merely looking and giving something your complete, absorbed attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intently come from?
Intently was formed in the early 19th century from the adjective “intent” and the adverbial suffix “-ly.” “Intent” derives through Old French from Latin intentus, a past participle of intendere, meaning “to stretch out” or “to aim.” The same Latin root underlies English words including “intend,” “intention,” “tendency,” and “tension.”
How intently is actually used
The adverb is formal and emphatic. It is commonly used with verbs of looking, listening, thinking, and concentrating, and can suggest that someone is so absorbed in an activity that they give it their full attention.
Easily confused with intently
Intently means with close attention, whereas intensively means with concentrated effort or at a high degree of intensity.
Intently emphasizes directed attention, while intensely emphasizes the strength or degree of an experience, feeling, or effort.