design Hear it!

design Definition

de·sign (di zīn′)

transitive verb

  1. to make preliminary sketches of; sketch a pattern or outline for; plan
  2. to plan and carry out, esp. by artistic arrangement or in a skillful way
  3. to form (plans, etc.) in the mind; contrive
  4. to plan to do; purpose; intend
  5. to intend or set apart for some purpose

Etymology: ME designen < L designare, to mark out, define < de-, out, from + signare, to mark < signum, a mark, sign

intransitive verb

  1. to make designs
  2. to make original plans, sketches, patterns, etc.; work as a designer

noun

  1. a plan; scheme; project
  2. purpose; intention; aim
  3. a thing planned for or outcome aimed at
  4. development according to a plan to find a design in history
  5. a secret, usually dishonest or selfish scheme: often with on or upon to have designs on another's property
  6. a plan or sketch to work from; pattern a design for a house
  7. the art of making designs or patterns
  8. the arrangement of parts, details, form, color, etc. so as to produce an artistic unit; artistic invention the design of a rug
  9. a finished artistic work or decoration

Etymology: Fr dessein < It disegno < disignare < L designare

design Idioms

by design

deliberately; purposely

design Synonyms

design

n.

  1. Arrangement for artistic or other effect

    pattern, motif, configuration, figure, device, decorative pattern, composition, layout, conception, diagram, drawing, sketch, rough representation, draft, blueprint, prototype, picture, tracing, commercial design, architectural design, outline, depiction, chart, map, plan, tracery, delineation, perspective, treatment, idea, study; see also composition 2, form 1, plan 1.

    Antonyms confusion*, jumble*, mess. *

  2. Planned intention or procedure

    object, intention, scheme; see plan 2, purpose 1. See syn. study at plan.

by design

on purpose, with intent, purposely; see deliberately.

design Synonyms

design

v.

  1. To plan in a preliminary way

    block out, outline, sketch; see plan 1, 2.

  2. To conceive

    create, originate, make up, devise; see compose 3, create 2, invent 1, produce 2.

  3. To intend

    mean, set apart, aim at; see intend 2. See syn. study at intend.

design Usage Examples

Subject

architect: The Kingsway opened in May 1929, and was designed by architect James McKissack.

Adjective modifier

  • graphic: Graphic Design The Graphic Design team then begins designing the necessary elements of your site.
  • interior: An exporter into Second Life You could rapidly construct a mansion in Sketchup, then do all the interior design inside SL.
  • urban: Training in our software will be provided and a desire to learn about natural light and the role it has in urban design expected.
  • innovative: A stringent timetable from English Partnerships meant a quick turnaround with an innovative design submitted for planning at the beginning of February.
  • contemporary: Our vast range is all handcrafted using traditional methods by individual craftsmen who combine tradition with contemporary design.
  • original: The original design was the house's very first creation, consisting of a flat trunk circled in iron and enhanced with wooden slats.

Modifies a noun

  • team: The main contractor joins the project team, working closely with the design team, prior to construction during the design phase.
  • process: However, at every step of the design process I always took production into consideration for future development.

Noun used with modifier

  • web: Using the latest in web page design is not generally the best way to go.
  • engineering: Can we understand the underlying engineering designs that allow this tiny nematode to survive and flourish?
  • interface: User interface design: Taking the good with the bad.
  • website: This then led the way for the website design.

Infinitive complement

  • help: Secure by design: a UK police initiative designed to help create safer, more secure environments.
  • meet: Featured sites about Credit Cards: Capital One Credit Card Capital One provides a great range of credit cards designed to meet your needs.
  • assist: It has been designed to assist academics to design and deliver coursework to allow for the divergent needs of student populations.
  • enable: Clients are offered an opportunity to attend various courses which are designed to enable them to live independently.
  • encourage: Designed to encourage those producing the very best in scientific broadcasting, the emphasis of the awards is on scientific content.
  • protect: It lays down a classification, which is in place throughout Europe, designed to protect consumers.

Preposition: by

architect: The Kingsway opened in May 1929, and was designed by architect James McKissack.