Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
design
/dɪˈzaɪn/
When used as a noun to mean a plan or pattern, 'design' is usually countable (e.g., 'several designs'). However, when referring to the general concept of planning or intention, it can be uncountable. As a verb, 'design' is most commonly used in the passive voice (e.g., 'is designed for') when describing the intended purpose of an object or system. Be careful not to confuse 'by design' (on purpose) with 'by accident' (not planned).
💬Casual Conversation
I'm eyeing these curtains but the design is just too tacky.
BUY THEM KAREN. THEY WOULD LOOK GREAT IN THE GUEST ROOM.
Meanings
A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made.
"The architect presented a new design for the city library."
A purpose or planning that exists behind an action or object.
"By design or by accident, the move proved to be beneficial."
Examples
The design of this dress is just stunning, isn't it?
Wait, was the crash a mistake or by design?
Look, I can't design your whole website in one night!
I love the floral design on these old curtains.
Is this specific tool designed for left-handed people?
I'm still trying to design a better way to organize this.
Seriously? You designed the house like a giant cube?
The original design was way too complex for the budget.
I'll design a new logo that actually looks professional, okay?
This software is clearly designed to crash every five minutes!
Collocations & Compounds
by design
intentionally; planned rather than accidental
graphic design
the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books
industrial design
the design of products for mass production
flawless design
a plan or pattern that is perfect and without errors
design specifications
detailed requirements describing the look and function of a product
Idioms & Sayings
by design
Deliberately; intentionally planned rather than happening by chance.
have designs on
To have a secret plan or ambition to acquire something or achieve a certain position.
Cultural Context
We often think of design as the act of making things "look pretty"—the curve of a chair, the color palette of a website, or the silhouette of a dress. But in the realm of behavioral psychology, design is something far more potent and invisible. It is the silent architecture of choice.
Consider the concept of "Choice Architecture." This is the practice of designing the environment in which people make decisions to nudge them toward a specific outcome without restricting their freedom. A classic example is the layout of a school cafeteria. By simply placing fruit at eye level and hiding sugary snacks in lower bins, administrators use design to steer students toward healthier habits. The students still have the choice to eat the candy, but the design of the space makes the healthy choice the path of least resistance.
This extends into our digital lives through "Dark Patterns." These are user interface designs specifically engineered to trick users into doing things they didn't intend to do—like signing up for a recurring subscription via a confusingly worded button or making it nearly impossible to find the "unsubscribe" link. Here, design is weaponized; the aesthetic serves as a mask for manipulation.
At its deepest level, every object we touch and every screen we swipe is a physical manifestation of someone's intent. When a door handle is designed in a way that makes you pull when you should push (known as a "Norman Door" after design critic Don Norman), it isn't the user who has failed; it is the design that has failed to communicate its function.
Ultimately, design is the bridge between human psychology and physical reality. It proves that our behavior is not just a result of willpower or personality, but a reaction to the structural cues around us. Whether we are navigating a city or an app, we are constantly dancing to the tune set by the designers of our world.