Intently
/ɪnˈtɛntli/
adverbB2adverb form
Definition
Intently describes the way someone does an action with deep concentration and focus. When you do something intently, you are giving it your full attention without distraction. It often shows that you are very interested or serious about what you are doing or observing.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
With strong attention or focus
- •She listened intently to the teacher’s explanation.
- •The dog stared intently at the ball, ready to catch it.
- •He read the letter intently, trying to understand every word.
Showing serious interest or determination
- •They watched the game intently, hoping their team would win.
- •She worked intently on her painting for hours.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "intently" like "carefully," but with even more focus and attention, like your eyes and mind are fully on one thing
- ✓Picture a person watching a small, moving object very closely, like a cat watching a bird without blinking
- ✓It's the feeling when you listen to a story and do not want to miss any word because you are very interested
- ✓Sounds like "in-TENT-ly" → imagine someone inside a small tent, focused only on one thing inside, blocking out everything else
- ✓Think of a student studying for an important exam, eyes fixed on the book, ignoring all noise around
- ✓NOT like "quickly" (fast but not focused), "intently" means slow or steady with full attention
- ✓NOT like "carelessly" (without attention), "intently" is the opposite — full care and attention
Try Other Words
- •Closely: with attention to detail (Use when focusing on small details or watching carefully)
- •Attentively: paying attention (Use when emphasizing listening or watching with focus)
- •Keenly: with strong interest or eagerness (Use when showing sharp or eager attention)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "in-" (in, on) + "tent" (purpose, focus) + "-ly" (adverb suffix meaning "in the way of")
- •Etymology: From Latin "intentus," meaning stretched out, eager, or focused
- •Historical development: Originally meaning to stretch or direct attention; evolved to mean doing something with strong focus
- •Modern usage: Used as an adverb to describe how someone does an action with full and strong attention
Reflect & Connect
•When have you done something intently, and how did it help you succeed?
•Can you think of a time when doing something too intently might cause problems or stress?
Fill in the blanks
1.She watched the movie intently because she wanted to ___ every detail of the story.
2.When someone listens intently, they usually ___ all distractions around them.
3.Unlike casually watching, watching intently means paying ___ attention to what is happening.
4.He worked intently ___ finishing the project before the deadline.
5.The child looked intently at the puzzle, showing ___ interest in solving it.
6.People often read intently when the information is ___ or important.
7.If you do not focus intently, you might ___ important parts of the task.