design
/dɪˈzaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈzaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈzīn/ (ame, mw)
design — verb
- designpresent simple I / you / we / they
- designs3rd person singular
- designing-ing form
- designedpast simple
1. to plan and decide the shape, appearance, and features of something such as a bu
to plan and decide the shape, appearance, and features of something such as a building, piece of clothing, or machine, typically by creating detailed drawings first.
Gabriela designed a new type of wheelchair that folds flat for travel.
design + direct object (product)
The local architecture firm designed the library with large windows to let in natural light.
design + object + with + feature
Asher spent three months designing the layout of the community garden.
A young artist was hired to design the cover of the new cookbook.
Lien studied civil engineering so she could design bridges and tunnels.
文法句型
design + noun phrase
design + for + noun
design (intransitive, no object)
用法筆記
Transitive use ('design + object') is most common. The intransitive use ('She designs for a fashion brand') is more typical in professional contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to plan or create something with a specific goal or purpose in mind — for exampl
to plan or create something with a specific goal or purpose in mind — for example, arranging a training course so that it works well for complete beginners.
This small reading room was designed for quiet study, not for loud group work.
passive: be designed for + purpose
The new app is designed to help new parents track their baby's feeding and sleep schedule.
passive: be designed to + infinitive
Karim designed the training programme for workers who had never used computers before.
These boots are designed for hiking on rough mountain trails in wet weather.
The course is designed to prepare international students for university-level academic writing.
文法句型
be designed to + infinitive
be designed for + noun phrase
design + noun phrase + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Very frequently used in the passive voice ('be designed to' / 'be designed for'). The active form ('The architect designed the house to capture sunlight') is less common but correct for emphasising the creator's intention.
常見錯誤
design — noun
- designsingular
- designsplural
1. a detailed technical sketch or blueprint that shows exactly how a building, mach
a detailed technical sketch or blueprint that shows exactly how a building, machine, or product should be built and how its components fit together.
The architect pinned her design for the new school building onto the wall.
design + for + (what is being built)
Brandon spread the design across the table and pointed out each room to the builders.
The engineer checked the design twice before sending it to the factory.
Jin asked to see the design for the kitchen cabinets before construction began.
The design for the garden includes a small fish pond and a winding stone path.
文法句型
design + of + noun
design + for + noun
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical drawing or digital file itself. If you mean the general arrangement or concept (not the document), use noun sense 3 (ARRANGEMENT) instead.
常見錯誤
2. the skill, profession, or academic subject of planning the look and function of
the skill, profession, or academic subject of planning the look and function of objects, buildings, images, and digital products.
Talia studied graphic design at a college in Taipei for four years.
field of study: studied + [type] + design
Allison earned a degree in industrial design and now works for a hospital equipment company.
profession pathway: degree in + [field] + design → works for [company type]
The museum is hosting an exhibition about Japanese furniture design from the 1950s.
Christopher has worked in fashion design for over fifteen years in Milan.
Hoa took an evening course in web design to improve her company's online shop.
文法句型
design + as a field of study/work
in + design
用法筆記
Always uncountable when referring to the field or activity. 'A design' (countable) is only used for a specific plan or pattern (see noun sense 1 or 4). Common compound fields: graphic design, interior design, industrial design, web design, fashion design.
3. the particular way that the parts of something are organised or arranged, which
the particular way that the parts of something are organised or arranged, which affects how it looks and functions.
The design of the new smartphone makes it easy to hold with one hand.
the design of + product
Critics praised the design of the stadium for its clever energy-saving features.
praise the design of + for + feature
The kitchen's design puts the stove, sink, and fridge within easy reach of the cook.
Simple changes to the car's design improved its fuel efficiency by fifteen percent.
The design of the park encourages visitors to walk rather than drive between attractions.
- layout
focuses on spatial arrangement rather than overall concept
- structure
emphasises how parts connect and support each other
- configuration
more technical; used for systems or electronic devices
- format
used for documents, events, or digital files
文法句型
the design of + noun
design + verb (has, features, includes)
用法筆記
Overlaps with noun sense 1 (DRAWING), but sense 3 refers to the abstract arrangement itself, not the physical documentation. If you can replace 'design' with 'layout' or 'arrangement', you are using sense 3.
4. a repeated arrangement of shapes, lines, or colours that decorates the surface o
a repeated arrangement of shapes, lines, or colours that decorates the surface of cloth, paper, wallpaper, tiles, or other objects.
The curtains have a floral design of roses and small green leaves.
a [adjective] design of [elements]
Gabriela chose a geometric design of blue and white triangles for the bathroom tiles.
Nia liked the design on this ceramic plate with lines shaped like ocean waves.
The carpet's design is made of repeating circles in shades of dark gray.
Asher painted a diamond design along the wall just above the bed frame.
- pattern
almost interchangeable; 'pattern' is slightly more general and can include non-visual repetition
- motif
a single repeated element within a larger design
- decoration
broader — includes colours, textures, and ornaments, not just patterns
文法句型
design + of + noun
design + on + surface
design + in + colour/material
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (DRAWING): sense 4 describes the pattern itself as a decorative element, not a technical instruction for making something.
常見錯誤
5. a conscious choice or purpose behind an action or arrangement — most commonly us
a conscious choice or purpose behind an action or arrangement — most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'by design', meaning 'on purpose' or 'deliberately.'
The author left the ending unclear by design, not because she ran out of ideas.
by design = deliberately
By design, the park has no benches, so visitors keep walking through the space.
The narrow streets in the old town were placed there by design to slow horse carts.
By design, the restaurant seats only twelve guests to create an intimate atmosphere.
The winding road through the village was no accident — it was built that way by design.
文法句型
by design
have designs on + noun
用法筆記
In modern English, this sense is almost entirely limited to the phrase 'by design' (adverbial, meaning 'intentionally'). The alternative phrase 'have designs on' belongs to sense 6 (SECRET SCHEME) and carries a different, often negative, meaning.
常見錯誤
6. secret plans, often dishonest or selfish, to obtain something that belongs to so
secret plans, often dishonest or selfish, to obtain something that belongs to someone else or to gain control over a situation or person.
The journalist discovered that the company had designs on taking over its main rival.
have designs on + [target]
Neighbours warned the family that the man had designs on their grandmother's house.
Tax investigators uncovered his designs to hide company profits in overseas accounts.
Padma had no idea that her business partner had designs on the company she had founded.
The politician's designs on the leadership role were an open secret in the party.
- scheme
a dishonest plan; 'scheme' is a direct synonym but can also be neutral in British English ('pension scheme')
- plot
suggests a secret plan to do something illegal or harmful
- conspiracy
a secret plan made by a group of people, typically for an unlawful purpose
文法句型
have designs on + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'designs' within the phrase 'have designs on [something/someone].' Singular 'a design' is not used for this sense. The meaning is typically negative — implying greed, dishonesty, or hidden motives.