Meaning of design In English

• 0 to make or draw plans for something, for example clothes or buildings:

  • Who designed this building/dress/furniture?

  • This range of clothing is specially designed for shorter women.

• 1 to intend:

  • This dictionary is designed for advanced learners of English.

  • [ + to infinitive ] These measures are designed to reduce pollution.

• 2 a drawing or set of drawings showing how a building or product is to be made and how it will work and look:

  • Have you seen the designs for the new shopping centre?

  • She's an expert on kitchen/software design.

  • He's studying design in Paris.

  • I don't like the design of this sofa.

  • The building was originally Victorian in design.

  • a serious design fault

  • The car has some excellent design features.

• 3 a pattern used to decorate something:

  • a floral/abstract design

  • I like the design on your sweatshirt.

• 4 intentionally:

  • I'm sure he ignored you by accident and not by design.

  • to have territorial designs (on neighbouring countries)

  • humorous I think Alan has designs on your job/wife!

• 5 to make or draw plans for something:

  • [ T ] A famous engineer designed the new bridge.

  • [ I ] She designs for a dress manufacturer.

• 6 to intend a result:

  • These measures are designed to reduce pollution.

• 7 a plan or drawing:

  • [ C ] Have you seen the designs for the new lobby?

  • [ U ] She’s an expert in software design.

  • [ U ] I like the design of this microwave oven.

  • a geometric design

• 8 purpose or intention:

  • The details of the case are unclear, and this is by design (= intentional).

• 9 plans to get something or someone for yourself, esp. secret or dishonest plans:

  • Troop movements suggest the country has designs on its neighbor.

• 10 to make or draw plans for something that will be produced:

  • Who designed your website?

  • This range of clothing is specially designed for shorter women.

• 11 to intend for a particular purpose:

  • This dictionary is designed for people using English in a business situation.

  • be designed to do sth These measures are designed to reduce pollution.

• 12 the way in which something is planned and made:

  • I don't like the design of this control panel.

  • produce/develop/improve a design The company excelled at producing new designs for established products.

  • innovative/original design The innovative design of the product won several awards.

  • good/poor design

  • a serious design fault

  • The car has some excellent design features.

  • The building was originally Victorianin design.

• 13 a drawing or set of drawings showing how a building or product is to be made and how it will work and look:

  • Have you seen the designs for the new shopping centre?

• 14 the work of making plans or drawings for something:

  • She works in software design.

  • He is studying interior design.

  • There are a lot of good opportunities in the area of web design.

  • The product was abandoned when it was still at the design stage.