C1 noun Neutral

design

/dɪˈzaɪn/

A detailed plan or scheme that outlines the functional and aesthetic features of an object or system before it is made. In an academic context, it refers to the deliberate structure or methodology of a study or process designed to achieve specific outcomes.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The sleek design of the new laptop makes it incredibly portable for daily commutes.

The physical form and functional layout of the laptop make it easy to carry.

2

The proposed architectural design for the civic center must adhere to strict environmental regulations.

The formal blueprint and structural plan for the building must follow green laws.

3

I really dig the design on your skateboard; the colors are awesome.

I like the visual pattern and graphic art on your skateboard.

Word Family

Noun
design
Verb
design
Adverb
designedly
Adjective
designing
Related
designer
💡

Memory Tip

Look at the word 'sign' inside 'design'. To design is to 'de-sign' or 'mark out' a sign or plan for something before you build it.

Quick Quiz

The study's _____ was criticized for not including a large enough sample size to prove the hypothesis.

Correct!

The correct answer is: design

Examples

1

The sleek design of the new laptop makes it incredibly portable for daily commutes.

everyday

The physical form and functional layout of the laptop make it easy to carry.

2

The proposed architectural design for the civic center must adhere to strict environmental regulations.

formal

The formal blueprint and structural plan for the building must follow green laws.

3

I really dig the design on your skateboard; the colors are awesome.

informal

I like the visual pattern and graphic art on your skateboard.

4

The research design was carefully constructed to minimize bias in the data collection process.

academic

The scientific methodology and framework were planned to ensure objective results.

5

Our primary goal this quarter is to improve the user experience design of our mobile application.

business

We aim to refine the interface and functional planning of the app for our customers.

Word Family

Noun
design
Verb
design
Adverb
designedly
Adjective
designing
Related
designer

Common Collocations

experimental design The planning of a scientific experiment to ensure valid results.
graphic design The art of visual communication through typography and imagery.
interior design The planning and furnishing of the inside of a building.
sustainable design Creating products or buildings that minimize environmental impact.
design flaw A mistake in the original plan of a product that causes it to fail.

Common Phrases

by design

Intentionally or on purpose rather than by accident.

grand design

A large-scale, ambitious, and comprehensive plan.

have designs on

To have a secret plan to obtain or control something.

Often Confused With

design vs drawing

A drawing is a literal illustration; a design is the conceptual and functional plan behind an object.

design vs invention

Invention is the creation of a new device; design is the process of planning its structure and appearance.

📝

Usage Notes

At the C1 level, distinguish between 'design' as an aesthetic choice (fashion, graphics) and 'design' as a logical framework (research design, system architecture). It often functions as both a countable noun (a specific plan) and an uncountable noun (the general concept of planning).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'design' only for visual art, but in English, it is frequently used in technical and scientific contexts to describe logical structures.

💡

Memory Tip

Look at the word 'sign' inside 'design'. To design is to 'de-sign' or 'mark out' a sign or plan for something before you build it.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'designare', which means to mark out, devise, or choose.

Grammar Patterns

Countable: 'We need a more modern design.' Uncountable: 'The building is a masterpiece of design.' Commonly followed by 'of' or 'for': 'The design of the bridge' or 'A design for the future.'
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern professional culture, 'design thinking' has become a popular problem-solving methodology used across business and education sectors.

Quick Quiz

The study's _____ was criticized for not including a large enough sample size to prove the hypothesis.

Correct!

The correct answer is: design

Related Words

enurber

C1

A person who has recently moved to a city or who is in the process of adapting to an urban lifestyle and environment. It is primarily used in sociological or test-specific contexts to describe the demographic shift of individuals from rural to metropolitan areas.

peritactist

C1

A specialist or researcher who focuses on the sense of touch and tactile communication systems. This person typically studies how humans perceive information through physical contact, often in the context of assistive technology or haptic feedback.

homocadile

C1

A homocadile is a specialized taxonomic classification used in evolutionary biology to describe organisms that exhibit both hominid-like developmental patterns and reptilian skeletal structures. It is frequently cited in theoretical models to analyze potential pathways of convergent evolution between distant biological lineages.

homopotence

C1

To equalize or standardize the power, potency, or effective influence of different elements within a system. It is primarily used in technical or theoretical contexts to describe the process of making disparate components operate with uniform strength.

contrastrictity

C1

Describing a state or quality characterized by contrasting and restrictive forces or boundaries. It refers to the tension produced when a system or situation is simultaneously pulled by opposing limitations.

interfactity

C1

To systematically link and verify various factual data points to create a unified and cohesive information network. It involves the process of cross-referencing disparate facts to ensure they function together logically within a specific framework.

unisolious

C1

Refers to a structure or arrangement consisting of a single layer, row, or series. It is used in technical or formal contexts to describe something that is not stratified or multifaceted.

autofundcide

C1

To deliberately terminate or exhaust one's own funding sources or budget, typically through internal mismanagement or a strategic decision to withdraw support. It describes an entity that effectively 'kills' its own financial lifeblood through internal actions rather than external market pressures.

synmissfy

C1

A synmissfy is a systematic and synchronized omission of data or errors across multiple channels, often used in stress-testing environments. It refers to a state where gaps in information occur simultaneously to reveal underlying structural vulnerabilities.

macrotentship

C1

Describing a large-scale, all-encompassing framework or organizational structure that provides a broad sense of protection, inclusion, or governance for diverse sub-entities. It refers to systems that function like an expansive 'big tent,' prioritizing holistic coverage over individual detail.

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