designed
[dɪzˈaɪnd] /di-ˈzīn/ (ame, mw) · /dɪˈzaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪzˈaɪnd] /dɪˈzaɪn/ (ame, ipa)
designed — noun
1. a visual plan — usually one or more detailed sketches or diagrams — that shows h
a visual plan — usually one or more detailed sketches or diagrams — that shows how to construct a building, product, or piece of clothing and describes the appearance of the finished item
Rohan studied the design for the bridge before the construction team arrived.
design + for + noun (the thing being planned)
The architect showed the mayor the final design of the new library.
Please email the design to the factory in Taiwan by Friday.
Mira checked every measurement on the design for the kitchen cabinet.
This design for the garden includes a pond and a wooden bench.
文法句型
design + for + noun
用法筆記
Common with the preposition 'for' to indicate what the design is meant for: 'a design for a new office building'. The preposition 'of' is also possible when describing ownership or content: 'the design of the Eiffel Tower'.
常見錯誤
2. the activity or skill involved in deciding the appearance, function, and constru
the activity or skill involved in deciding the appearance, function, and construction of an object or space, including the creation of plans and drawings
Trang is studying graphic design at a college in Taipei.
graphic design as a field of study
Good design makes a product both easy to use and nice to look at.
The company hired Owen to handle the design of their new mobile app.
Paul became interested in interior design after redecorating his own flat.
Modern design focuses on making everyday things simpler and better.
文法句型
design of + noun
design as a field
用法筆記
When referring to the field or profession, 'design' is often paired with a preceding adjective: 'graphic design', 'fashion design', 'industrial design', 'interior design', 'web design'. In this sense it is uncountable and takes no article.
常見錯誤
3. the manner in which the various parts of something are arranged, organised, or c
the manner in which the various parts of something are arranged, organised, or combined, and how this affects its function or appearance
The design of the kitchen makes cooking and cleaning very easy.
Vinícius changed the design of the website to help users find information faster.
design of [system/interface]
The new car's design reduces the amount of fuel it uses.
Poor road design in this area causes long traffic jams every morning.
The simple design of this bookshelf means it can be built in one hour.
- layout
more physical; emphasises spatial arrangement
- structure
broader; can refer to abstract organisation, not just physical
- arrangement
more general; less specialised than 'design'
文法句型
design of + noun
4. a repeating shape, line, or colour arrangement used to decorate a surface or pie
a repeating shape, line, or colour arrangement used to decorate a surface or piece of fabric
The tablecloth has a floral design in red and white.
floral design — pattern of flowers
Aylin chose a fabric with a geometric design for her new curtains.
The tiles on the kitchen floor form an interesting diamond design.
This traditional flower design has been painted on pottery for centuries.
Hamza painted a leaf design along the edge of the living-room wall.
- pattern
more general; can be natural or man-made; 'design' implies deliberate human planning
- motif
a single recurring image; more artistic and formal
- decoration
broader; includes any decorative element, not just repeating ones
文法句型
adjective + design
design + on + noun
用法筆記
In this sense, 'design' is countable and typically used with adjectives that describe the type of pattern: 'floral design', 'geometric design', 'abstract design'. The preposition 'on' or 'in' is used to indicate the surface: 'a design on the vase', 'a pattern in gold thread'.
常見錯誤
5. a specific aim, purpose, or intention that guides an action or the creation of s
a specific aim, purpose, or intention that guides an action or the creation of something
Whether by accident or by design, everybody arrived at exactly the same time.
by design — fixed phrase meaning 'on purpose'
The chairs were placed close together by design, to help people talk.
The garden was created with the design of offering a quiet place to read.
This course has a clear design: to prepare students for university study.
The organisation was founded with the design of helping poor families in the area.
- accident
something that happens without intention
文法句型
by design
have designs on + noun
with the design of + verb-ing
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (DRAWINGS/PLANS): this sense focuses on the aim or reason behind something, not on a visual drawing. The fixed phrase 'by design' means 'intentionally' and is very common in formal and informal English. 'Have designs on something' carries a slightly different meaning — see sense 6.
常見錯誤
6. secret and often dishonest plans to obtain something that belongs to someone els
secret and often dishonest plans to obtain something that belongs to someone else or to gain a position of power
The spy's designs on the company's secret files were discovered in time.
designs on + noun — secret plans to obtain
Hana had designs on the manager's job and spread lies about her colleagues.
The court heard evidence of his designs on his elderly uncle's money.
Mia warned the family about his dishonest designs on their property.
The newspaper revealed the politician's designs on the education budget.
- scheme
a more general word for a plan; 'designs' specifically implies dishonest intentions
- plot
more dramatic and secretive, often involving a group
- conspiracy
more serious legal charge; implies multiple people working together
文法句型
have designs on + noun
用法筆記
Always appears in the plural form 'designs' in this sense, never as 'design'. Combined with the preposition 'on': 'designs on something'. Carries a negative or suspicious tone.
常見錯誤
designed — verb
- designedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- designeds3rd person singular
- designedding-ing form
- designeddedpast simple
1. to decide how something will look, be made, or function, and to create drawings,
to decide how something will look, be made, or function, and to create drawings, plans, or models that show this — used for buildings, machines, clothes, software, and other products
Owen designed a new chair that folds flat for easy storage.
The company hired a team of engineers to design their new office building.
design + [product/building] — direct object
Rachid spent three months designing the website for the restaurant.
This phone was designed to feel comfortable in one hand.
Trang designs clothes for a fashion brand based in Milan.
文法句型
design + noun
design for + noun
design to + infinitive
常見錯誤
2. to have a particular purpose or intended use in mind for something; to make some
to have a particular purpose or intended use in mind for something; to make something suitable for a specific need or situation
This test is designed to check students' listening comprehension.
be designed + to-infinitive — purpose
The chair is designed for people who spend long hours at a desk.
be designed for + noun phrase
Aylin's new kitchen tool is designed to open jars with very little effort.
These shoes are designed for running on hard roads and pavements.
The system is designed to turn off the lights when nobody is in the room.
文法句型
be designed for + noun
be designed to + infinitive
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the passive voice: 'be designed to + infinitive' or 'be designed for + noun/gerund'. Unlike sense 1 (PLAN/CREATE), this sense does not focus on the act of planning or drawing; it simply states the intended purpose. The active form 'design to do something' (e.g. 'I design to finish by Friday') is extremely rare in modern English and should be avoided.