- [uncountable, countable] the general arrangement of the different parts of something that is made, such as a building, book, machine, etc.
- The basic design of the car is very similar to that of earlier models.
- special new design features
- The system has a fundamental design flaw.
- The steel frame is left visible and is part of the overall design concept.
- The magazine will appear in a new design from next month.
Extra ExamplesTopics Arta1- The machine's unique design prevents it from overheating.
- He's come up with a really good design for a solar-powered car.
- Creating a robot suitable for the home environment is the design challenge facing engineers and technologists.
- One of our main design goals was to make the product easy to use.
- The architect put forward two alternative design concepts for the new library.
- The chair she had sketched was far bigger than stipulated in the design brief.
- The clever design allows natural light to flood into the room.
- The latest model incorporates some novel design features.
- The machine is quite simple in design.
- The new label design provides nutrition facts.
- The other houses are built to a more conventional design.
- The overall design of the workspace is critical.
- Their new car is still at the design stage.
- We followed the traditional design.
- a car with a sleek modern design
- elements that are being included in the next design phase
- I made this one to my very own design.
- It's a simple design that hasn't changed for centuries.
- Our house was built to a traditional design.
- The design for the new model is top secret.
- There was a basic design fault in the new computer.
- What new design features does the TV have?
- a design flaw in a software program
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- basic
- simple
- complex
- …
- come up with
- create
- develop
- …
- include something
- incorporate something
- allow something
- …
- detail
- element
- feature
- …
- in design
- of… design
- to a… design
- …
- at the design stage
- [uncountable] the art or process of deciding how something will look, work, etc. by drawing plans, making computer models, etc.
- the design and development of new products
- I'm doing a course in art and design.
- web/set/product design
- a specialist in computer-aided design
- a design studio
Extra Examples- The new CAD program really speeds up the design process.
- The company won an international design competition for the concert hall.
- Digital design tools are essential.
- trendy boutique hotels with avant-garde design themes
- The car wouldn't win any design awards, but it's very reliable.
- Strict design standards ensure that new buildings are compatible with existing architecture.
- a vehicle of revolutionary design
- He set up his own software design company.
- She's done some design work for us in the past.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- graphic
- computer-aided
- architectural
- …
- business
- company
- consultancy
- …
- art and design
- [countable] a drawing or plan from which something may be made
- He has created some new and original designs.
- design for something designs for aircraft
Extra ExamplesTopics Buildingsa1- They have produced a design for the construction of a new bank building.
- The original designs were stolen.
- Last week the architect unveiled his design for a museum on Prague's waterfront.
- the architect's designs for the cathedral
- The office designs incorporate quiet rooms where employees can take a break.
- There are several laws protecting the ownership of industrial designs.
- We can show you several different designs for your new kitchen.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- basic
- simple
- complex
- …
- come up with
- create
- develop
- …
- include something
- incorporate something
- allow something
- …
- detail
- element
- feature
- …
- in design
- of… design
- to a… design
- …
- at the design stage
- [countable] an arrangement of lines and shapes as a decoration synonym pattern
- floral/abstract/geometric designs
- The tiles come in a huge range of colours and designs.
- The building has intricate geometric designs on several of the walls.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- elaborate
- intricate
- simple
- …
- have
- paint
- trace
- …
- theme
- motif
- [uncountable, countable] a plan or an intention
- It happened—whether by accident or design—that the two of them were left alone after all the others had gone.
- It is all part of his grand design.
More Like This Silent lettersSilent lettersExtra Examples- Had it happened by accident or by design?
- His grand design was to connect up every academic institution in the world.
- I suspected that he had some sinister designs.
- It is all part of his grand design for government.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- evil
- sinister
- grand
- …
- harbour/harbor
- have
- by design
arrangement
drawing/plan/model
pattern
intention
Word Originlate Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘to designate’): from Latin designare ‘to designate’, reinforced by French désigner. The noun is via French from Italian.
Idioms
See design in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee design in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishhave designs on somebody
- (formal or humorous) to want to start a sexual relationship with somebody
- He was quite aware that she had designs on him.
have designs on something
- (formal) to be planning to get something for yourself, often in a way that other people do not approve of
- Rumours spread that the Duke had designs on the crown (= wanted to make himself king).
Check pronunciation:
design