Cool MateIntended vs Meant
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Intended
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Meant
Top 2,000 (common)
| Intended | Meant | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtendɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtendɪd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //miːnt//🇺🇸 //miːnt// |
| Meaning | planned or meant to happen | To intend or plan something. |
| Example | The intended audience for this book is young adults. | I meant to call you yesterday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | intended audience, intended outcome, intended meaning | meant to be, meant for, meant well |
| Antonyms | unintended, accidental | unintended, unplanned |
| Common mistakes | 'Intended' is often confused with 'intentioned', which is incorrect., Learners may forget to use 'intended' with an object, like 'intended purpose'., Sometimes 'intended' is mistakenly used as a noun. | Using 'meant' as a noun incorrectly., 'Mean' vs. 'meant' confusion., Using present form when past is needed. |
| Usage notes | Use 'intended' when talking about plans or purposes. It’s neutral, so it’s suitable for most contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations. | Use 'meant' in neutral contexts to express intention or purpose. Avoid in overly formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Intended vs Meant
What's the difference between Intended and Meant?
Intended: planned or meant to happen Meant: To intend or plan something.
Can you show an example of each?
Intended: The intended audience for this book is young adults. Meant: I meant to call you yesterday.
Can I use Intended and Meant interchangeably?
Not always. Intended and Meant are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.