by design

Idioms  

1. On purpose, deliberately, as in Whether by luck or by design, his application was accepted. This term, originally put as on design, uses design in the sense of “plan.” [First half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

I started wondering how a band like that got past the velvet rope and realized that none of it was by accident, it was all by design.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

But you wouldn’t know this — the packaging is left unmarked by design.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

"Clinical trials are the gold standard, but by design, they are slow," says Guntuku.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

The role’s ambiguity, offering no hint of seniority or rank, is by design.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

Rowan had never been an exceptional student—but that was by design.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• consciously
• knowingly
• pointedly
• purposely
• studiously
• voluntarily
• willfully