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

subcapure

C1

Relating to a secondary or subordinate stage of capturing data, images, or specimens within a larger primary process. It describes a nested acquisition mechanism used to record specific subsets of information under a broader set of parameters.

triunior

C1

A triunior is a specialized term used in certain organizational or tripartite structures to denote a third-tier junior member or an entry-level official within a specific hierarchy. It refers to an individual who occupies the lowest level of a three-part junior classification system, often found in niche administrative or academic contexts.

pretracttion

C1

To exert a forward-moving force or tension on a physical structure, usually as a preliminary step in a technical or medical process. It involves drawing a component toward the front or applying tension prior to a primary action to ensure proper alignment or stability.

microprivic

C1

To selectively remove or strip away minuscule, often essential, components from a larger structure or system. This verb describes a process of highly precise deprivation occurring at a microscopic or granular level.

extraprehendery

C1

Describing knowledge or insights that lie beyond the standard limits of human perception or intellectual grasp. It often refers to concepts that are highly abstract, metaphysical, or so complex that they require a specialized or transcendent way of thinking to be understood.

circumscendic

C1

Describing a movement or path that involves climbing or scaling around the perimeter of an object. It often refers to a circuitous upward trajectory used to bypass obstacles or cover the entirety of a vertical structure.

rematerine

C1

To re-incorporate or restore something to its original material or essential state, especially after it has been fragmented, digitized, or abstractly altered. It describes the process of making an abstract concept or a digital set of data tangible and physical once more.

explicine

C1

Describes information, structures, or concepts that are inherently self-explanatory and unfold their meaning clearly without the need for external interpretation. It refers to a state of being naturally transparent or methodically detailed in a way that precludes ambiguity.

comdurist

C1

Describing an attitude or strategy characterized by an unyielding, steadfast commitment to enduring challenges over a long period. It refers to the quality of being resolutely persistent despite significant hardship or delay in results.

dishospation

C1

Describing an attitude or environment that is significantly lacking in hospitality or friendliness toward guests. It denotes an actively unwelcoming, cold, or repellent reception in social, professional, or academic settings.

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