English Reference

Word

design

Phoneticsde·sign, stress on the second syllable

US/dɪˈzaɪn/

UK/dɪzˈaɪn/

Definitions

01a plan or drawing

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function of a building, garment, or other object before it is made.

n. a detailed plan or specification for the construction of an object or the arrangement of a system.

“The architect showed us the final design for the new library.”

“The engineering team spent months refining the design to ensure the bridge could withstand extreme weather conditions.”

02style or appearance

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

n. the way that something has been planned and made, often to look attractive.

n. the aesthetic or functional arrangement of elements in an object or work of art.

“I really like the modern design of this sofa.”

“The interior design of the hotel combines traditional materials with a minimalist aesthetic to create a calming atmosphere.”

03a decorative pattern

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a decorative pattern on something like cloth, paper, or a wall.

n. a decorative pattern or motif used as an element of artistic or architectural work.

“The wallpaper has a beautiful floral design in gold and white.”

“The fabric features an intricate geometric design that reflects the cultural heritage of the region.”

04a secret intention

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Literary

n. a secret plan or purpose, often to do something bad.

n. a decorative or calculated intention; often used in the plural to describe a plot or scheme.

“He had designs on his neighbor's land and tried to buy it cheaply.”

“It soon became clear that the rival corporation had designs on the smaller firm's patents and was preparing a hostile takeover.”

Synonyms

05to create a plan

A2 · Elementary

v. to decide how something will look or work by making a drawing or plan of it.

v. to conceive and fashion in the mind; to invent and prepare a plan for an object or system.

“She wants to design her own wedding dress.”

“The software was designed to help small businesses manage their finances more efficiently without needing an accountant.”

06to intend for a purpose

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to plan or intend something for a specific person or use.

v. to intend or set apart for a specific purpose or recipient; often used in the passive voice.

“This course is designed for students who have no experience with coding.”

“The new legislation is designed to protect consumers from predatory lending practices in the housing market.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “design” in context.

01. inform design 02. primarily design 03. specifically design 04. strong design 05. successful design

Real-World Examples

“In 1850 a competition was launched to design a venue that was both suitable for such a grand event, but also temporary and could be built in time.”
BBC 2 May 2026
“The legal differentiation between design and art under German law is based on a product’s intended use; design fulfills a functional purpose, whereas works of applied art must exhibit a significant degree of individual artistic innovation.”
Reuters 20 Feb 2025
“Due to the difficulties we faced in obtaining a photograph of Charlie, I started to favor a design that could function well without relying on an impressive portrait or an elegant typographic element.”
Wired 16 Sept 2008
“Stephan Scholten, the vice president of product in Adidas’ running department, says the design came from “unreasonable ambition.”
The Athletic 7 May 2026

Etymology

From Middle English designen, from Old French designer, from Latin designō (“to mark out, point out, describe, design, contrive”), from de- (or dis-) + signō (“to mark”), from signum (“mark”). Doublet of designate.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synonyms

Word family

Related words

Domain

Engineering

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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