Intently

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈtɛntli/

Definitions

1. in a focused and concentrated manner, giving complete attention to something
2. With great concentration and focus, one engages fully with a task or subject matter
3. Displaying strong focus and unwavering attention, someone immerses themselves in the activity at hand

Etymology: "Intently" is a plain formation: the adjective "intent" with the adverbial suffix "-ly" attached. The "-ly" ending goes back to an Old English suffix, "-līċe", which in turn descends from a Proto-Germanic form meaning "body-like" or "form-like," built on a root that also gave English "like" in the sense of resembling something. So an adverb such as "intently" literally carries the sense of "in the manner of" the adjective it modifies. The adjective "intent" is the more interesting half. It comes from the Latin "intentus," the past participle of "intendere," meaning "to stretch toward" or "to direct," a verb that also gave English "intend." The original picture is of the mind or gaze being stretched out toward an object, which is exactly what the modern sense of "intently" describes: attention pulled taut toward one thing.

Synonyms: attentively, focusedly, earnestly, concentratedly, seriously

Antonyms: distraction, inattentively, carelessly, absently, indifferently