design

/dɪˈzaɪn/

noun

  1. a plan or drawing that shows how something will be made or how it will look

    A2

    countable

    • "She showed me a design for a simple chair."A2
    • "The final design was approved by the committee."B1
    • "The architect's design uses natural light throughout the building."B2
    • "She showed us the design for the new library."B1
    • "The engineers changed the original design to make the bridge safer."B2

  2. the process or art of deciding how something will look or work

    B1

    uncountable

    • "Good design makes a website easy to use."B1
    • "She studied graphic design at university."B2
    • "The car's design prioritizes safety over style."C1

  3. a pattern of lines, shapes, or colours used to decorate something

    A2

    countable

    • "The rug has a simple flower design."A2
    • "I like the design on your shirt."B1
    • "The wallpaper features a repeating geometric design."B2

  4. The way something has been planned or created, especially its appearance or function.

    B1

    uncountable

    • "I like the simple design of this chair."A2
    • "Good design makes the app easy to use."B1

verb

  1. to plan or create something, especially by making drawings or deciding how it will work

    A2

    transitive

    • "He designed a small house."A2
    • "The company designs software for schools."B1
    • "She designed the garden herself."B2

  2. to intend something for a particular purpose

    B2

    transitive, often passive: be designed to do somethingformal

    • "The programme is designed to reduce traffic."B2
    • "These measures are designed to protect the most vulnerable."C1

  3. To plan or create something, such as a product, building, or system.

    B1

    transitive

    • "They designed a small garden for the school."B1
    • "The team is designing a new system for storing energy."B2

  4. To intend or plan for someone or something to have a particular purpose or effect.

    B2

    transitive; often passive

    • "The course is designed for beginners."B1
    • "The policy was designed to reduce waste."B2

Collocations

graphic designinterior designweb designfashion designindustrial designdesign processdesign a buildingdesign softwaredesign a productby design

Word family

designerredesigndesigneddesigning