How to pronounce design
Say it like dih-ZYNE. Design has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZYNE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce design. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- ZYNE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Design pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZYNESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of design
American and British speakers say design in essentially the same way: /dɪˈzaɪn/ in the US and /dɪˈzaɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-ZYNE.
What does design mean?
- 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”
- an arrangement scheme“the awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficult”“it was an excellent design for living”
- something intended as a guide for making something else“a blueprint for a house”“a pattern for a skirt”
- make or work out a plan for; devise“They contrived to murder their boss”“design a new sales strategy”
- plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect“This room is not designed for work”
- create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner“Chanel designed the famous suit”
Where does design come from?
From Middle English designen, from Old French designer, from Latin designō (“to mark out, point out, describe, design, contrive”), from de- (or dis-) + signō (“to mark”), from signum (“mark”).
Words that rhyme with design
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of design.
Questions about saying design
How do you pronounce design?
Say dih-ZYNE. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈzaɪn/. In British English it is /dɪˈzaɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in design?
Design has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZYNE). Broken into parts: dih · ZYNE.
Do Americans and Brits say design the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈzaɪn/ and the British form is /dɪˈzaɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.