C1 noun Neutral #21 most common

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

circumgrator

C1

Describing a movement or path that wanders in a circular or roundabout fashion rather than following a direct line. It often characterizes physical motion that encompasses a central area or an indirect approach to a task or problem.

micromerctude

C1

The state or quality of being excessively focused on minute, often trivial details within a mercantile or commercial context. It describes a meticulous precision that borderlines on pedantry, usually regarding small-scale financial transactions or specific trade conditions.

comvertant

C1

A comvertant refers to an entity, proposition, or individual currently undergoing a process of transformation or conversion. It is often used in specialized academic or technical contexts to denote the specific subject being changed from one state or category to another.

subgravate

C1

To aggravate or worsen a situation, condition, or feeling in a subtle or minor degree. It often implies exerting a gradual downward pressure or adding a slight burden to an already difficult circumstance.

dispetize

C1

A dispetize is a formal process or systematic act of resolving minor grievances and petty disputes within a professional or social organization. It serves as a clearinghouse for small-scale conflicts to ensure they do not escalate into significant structural issues.

ultrademation

C1

Ultrademation refers to the state or process of extreme, total automation where human intervention is entirely replaced by autonomous systems and decision-making algorithms. It represents the highest possible tier of technological autonomy within an industrial or digital framework.

semipulsate

C1

A state or instance of partial or intermittent rhythmic throbbing or beating, often occurring at irregular intervals or with reduced intensity. In technical contexts, it refers to a cycle that does not reach the full amplitude of a standard pulse.

adsontion

C1

To undergo or facilitate the process of molecular adhesion where molecules of a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid accumulate on the surface of a solid or liquid. Unlike absorption, this process is strictly a surface phenomenon and does not involve the substance being taken into the body of the material.

intrarogship

C1

Relating to the internal state or quality of inquiry and mutual accountability within a specific group or institution. It describes the dynamics of procedural questioning that remain within a single organizational hierarchy rather than involving external parties.

underpacant

C1

To perform a task or meet a requirement at a rate or quality lower than what was previously established or expected. It is often used in technical or administrative contexts to describe a failure to keep pace with a specific standard or quota.

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