Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Acting with hidden, cunning, or deceitful intentions to advance one's own interests: Describes a person or entity that is crafty, scheming, and manipulative, often for selfish gain.

2. Noun:

   • The act or process of creating a plan, sketch, or outline for something: Refers to the creative activity of conceiving and planning the form, structure, and appearance of an object, system, or work.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She was a designing individual who always sought to manipulate others for her own benefit.
  • The politician's designing tactics were eventually exposed by the media.

• Noun:

  • The designing of the new bridge took over a year to complete.
  • Good designing requires both creativity and technical skill.

Advanced Usage

• As a gerund (verbal noun): The "-ing" form of the verb "to design" functions as a noun.
  • Designing is her passion.
• In a negative, judgmental context (adjective): Often carries a strong connotation of unethical scheming.
  • He was accused of having a designing mind, always plotting to undermine his colleagues.

Variants and Related Words

• Design (verb/noun): The base form. As a verb: to conceive and plan. As a noun: a plan or drawing.
• Designer (noun): A person who designs things.
• Designedly (adverb): Done intentionally or on purpose.
• Predesigning (verb/noun): Designing in advance.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Scheming, cunning, crafty, manipulative, calculating, conniving.
• Noun: Planning, drafting, outlining, devising, conceptualizing.

Related Phrases

• Interior designing: The art and science of enhancing the interior of a space.
• Graphic designing: The craft of creating visual content to communicate messages.

Idioms

• A designing woman/man: An idiom describing a person, often in a historical or literary context, who uses charm and cunning to secure a wealthy or advantageous marriage or position.
  • In the novel, she was portrayed as a designing woman who would stop at nothing to marry into the aristocracy.

Adjective

1. concealing crafty designs for advancing your own interest
   • a selfish and designing nation obsessed with the dark schemes of European intrigue- W.Churchill
   • a scheming wife
   • a scheming gold digger

Noun

1. the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
   • he contributed to the design of a new instrument