design
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
How often you will meet it
Rank 3,000 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 5,447 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan) also: designing he contributed to the design of a new instrument
- an arrangement scheme also: plan the awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficultit was an excellent design for living
- something intended as a guide for making something else also: blueprint, pattern a blueprint for a housea pattern for a skirt
- a decorative or artistic work also: pattern, figure the coach had a design on the doors
- an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions also: purpose, intent, intention, aim his intent was to provide a new translationgood intentions are not enough
- a preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something the design of a building
verb
- make or work out a plan for; devise also: plan, project, contrive They contrived to murder their bossdesign a new sales strategy
design in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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In him Lucretia saw the very instrument of her design.
Lucretia — Volume 06 · Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron Lytton · Chapter 1
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Their design was to surprise the ship during the night.
The pirates own book · Charles Ellms · Chapter 1
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They were, he said, of very grotesque and almost repulsive design.
The Shadow over Innsmouth · H.P. Lovecraft · Chapter 2
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The same heraldic design that had first shaken her to the heart.
Nonsense Novels · Stephen Leacock · Chapter 2
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For the picture was a notable bit of work, daringly simple in colouring and design, yet arresting, convincing, alive.
The great amulet · Maud Diver · Chapter 3