intentionality.

1. The quality by which a mental state refers to or is directed toward an object, content, or situation.

2. The quality of being done purposely rather than accidentally.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• mental intentionality
• the intentionality of belief

On the page

The philosopher used an imagined city to explain the intentionality of belief.

Her account distinguished intentionality from the existence of the object imagined.

Usage notes

Primary category: literary. Forms: Usually uncountable. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.