Designing

/dɪˈzaɪnɪŋ/

verbIntermediateCommonArts

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The process of planning and making something, often including drawings or models before it is made.

/dɪˈzaɪnɪŋ/

verbneutralIntermediate
Arts

Planning and making a drawing or outline of something.

The architect is designing a sustainable building.

💡 Simply: Imagine you want to build a LEGO castle. Designing is like making a plan of what it will look like, where everything goes, and how it connects before you start putting the bricks together. It's the 'planning' stage.

👶 For kids: Making a plan for something, like drawing a picture or building a tower!

More Examples

2

She spent hours designing the layout of her website.

3

The team is currently designing the marketing campaign.

How It's Used

Engineering

"The engineers are designing a new bridge."

Fashion

"She's designing a new line of clothing."

Web Development

"They are designing the user interface for the new application."

2

To intend or plan something, often used in a negative context, implying scheming or plotting.

/dɪˈzaɪnɪŋ/

verbnegativeAdvanced
Arts

Intending or planning to do something (often negative).

The villain was designing a complicated trap.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone carefully planning a trick or a secret scheme. This kind of designing is about creating a plan with a hidden motive, maybe not a friendly one! It's the 'plotting' stage.

👶 For kids: Making a plan for something tricky or secret, like planning a prank!

More Examples

2

She suspected he was designing a way to take her job.

3

The politician was designing a misleading campaign.

How It's Used

Literary

"He was designing her downfall with intricate schemes."

Tip:Picture a character in a novel secretly plotting. It suggests a hidden agenda or a careful plan, often with harmful intent.

From the Old French word 'desseignier', meaning 'to mark out, plan, or devise'. It evolved to its current form, denoting the act of creating plans or patterns.

The verb 'design' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to forming or shaping a plan in the mind.

Memory tip

Think of a blueprint, a plan, or an artistic sketch. It's about creating the initial layout or plan.

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Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written