design
Verbdesigns, designing, designed
Noun pluraldesigns
Formsdesigns, designing, designed
Pluraldesigns
- 1To make or plan something so that it fits a certain use, purpose or group of people.
This bike is designed for kids under ten.
Teachers design these lessons for students who are just starting to learn English.
UsageSay designed to + verb or designed for + who will use it: designed for kids.
- 2The way something looks and how its parts are arranged.
Like choosing a pretty cover for a book so people want to pick it up.
The phone's sleek design makes it easy to hold.
I love the design of these new sneakers.
Note
- 3To plan how something will look and work, often by drawing it before it is made.
She designed a poster for the school play.
They want to design a new playground for the park.
Note
- 4The work or skill of planning how things look and work.
Like learning to cook: a skill you practice and slowly get better at.
She studied design at art school.
Good design makes everyday tools easier to use.
UsageSay she studied design, with no a. Often graphic design or fashion design.
- 5A plan or drawing that shows how something will be built and how it will work.
Like a drawing that shows how to put a toy together before you build it.
The design for the new school includes large windows and wide halls.
Engineers checked the design before building started.
UsageSay a design for something: a design for a new school.
- 6A pattern used as a part of art or a building.
Like the repeating shapes printed on a roll of wallpaper.
The rug has a colorful design woven into it.
She painted a flower design along the edge of the plate.
Similarpattern, motif, decoration, figure, ornament
- 7A plan or aim that someone has on purpose.
Like planning a surprise party step by step on purpose.
He hid the money by design, not by accident.
Her kindness was part of a larger design.
UsageOften by design, which means on purpose, not by accident.
Similarintention, purpose, plan, intent
Oppositeaccident, chance, coincidence
Note
Less common meanings
- 8A secret plan to harm someone or something, or to take something unfairly.
Like a wolf acting friendly while secretly planning to attack.
The villain had evil designs against the king.
She kept her dark design hidden from her friends.
UsageOften plural: someone has designs on a person or thing they plan to get, often unfairly.
Similarscheme, plot, intrigue, conspiracy, machination
Note
- 9
- 10To give a job or thing to someone, or to choose them for it.
He was designed to the study of the law.
1700, John Dryden, Translations from Ovid's EpistlesHere, designed means chosen or set apart for something, so he was meant to study law.he looks not below the Moon, but hath designed the regiment of sublunary affairs unto inferiour deputations.
1646, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia EpidemicaHere, designed means handed over or assigned, giving the job to others.Note
- 11To point something out, show it, or mark it clearly.
Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin 'designo' meaning 'I mark out', made from 'de-' plus 'signo' ('I mark'), from 'signum' ('mark'). It came into English through Old French.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Design derives ultimately from Latin designo, meaning 'I mark out'. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin designo is formed from de- plus signo. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin signo means 'I mark'. en.wiktionary.org
- Signo derives from signum, meaning 'mark'. en.wiktionary.org
- Design came into English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org