design Hear it!

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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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms design idiom

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

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

Modifies a noun

  • team: The main contractor joins the project team, working closely with the design team, prior to construction during the design phase.

Noun used with modifier

  • web: Using the latest in web page design is not generally the best way to go.

Infinitive complement

  • help: Secure by design: a UK police initiative designed to help create safer, more secure environments.

Preposition: by

  • architect: The Kingsway opened in May 1929, and was designed by architect James McKissack.
design usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

design quotes

A design career is a process of learning better and better what you know instinctively.

-Bellini, Mario

   What brought the kindred spider to that height, Then steered the white moth thither in the night? What but design of darkness to appall?ö If design govern in a thing so small.

-Frost, Robert Lee

The ill design is most ill for the designer.

-Hesiod   c.8c

design quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"design." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/design>

APA Style

design. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/design

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