designing
/dɪˈzaɪ.nɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪzˈaɪnɪŋ] /dɪˈzaɪ.nɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪzˈaɪnɪŋ] /di-ˈzī-niŋ How to pronounce designing (audio)/ (ame, mw)
designing — adjective
- designingpositive
- more designingcomparative
- most designingsuperlative
1. quietly planning how to benefit yourself, often by tricking people or hiding you
quietly planning how to benefit yourself, often by tricking people or hiding your real purpose.
The designing manager praised new staff before asking them for private details.
designing + person noun — hidden self-interest behind friendly behavior
Nadia noticed a designing smile on the landlord's face during the rent talk.
designing smile — expression that suggests private calculation
Hari became suspicious of the designing guest who kept asking about his grandfather's savings.
At dinner, Yuna watched the designing aunt turn every chat toward the family house.
Kofi realized the investor was designing, not generous, when the papers arrived.
- scheming
emphasizes active plotting to get an advantage
- manipulative
stresses controlling other people for your own purposes
- crafty
focuses on clever, underhand methods
- calculating
suggests cold, self-serving judgment
- honest
open about intentions rather than deceptive
- straightforward
direct in manner and purpose
文法句型
designing + noun (manager, smile, guest, aunt)
be + designing
用法筆記
Usually describes a person, expression, or manner that hides private aims behind friendly behavior. It often sounds formal or slightly old-fashioned, so everyday speech more often uses scheming, manipulative, or sneaky.