intricate in design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intricate in design" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a complex or detailed design, often in contexts related to art, architecture, or craftsmanship. Example: "The jewelry was intricate in design, showcasing delicate patterns and fine craftsmanship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And her prose style, so intricate in design and supple in execution, has the disquieting intimacy of an alien touch in the dark.

The New York Times - Books

Renaissance composers of the Franco-Flemish School — incluDufayDufay, Ockeghem, Isaac, Willaert, and Lassus, all of whom seem to have been born within Belgium's present borders — perfected the art of sacred polyphony, creating works that were large in scale and intricate in design.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Like Kidd in his intricate cover design, I am in danger of getting carried away with details and forgetting the key points.

The New York Times - Books

Filmed by the sailor, author and photographer Alan Villiers in 1933, "Around the Horn in a Square Rigger" features the Parma, a ship built in 1902, that seems as complex in its design, intricate in its construction and demanding in its operation as any of the space-going vessels that are its contemporary equivalents.

The New York Times

In the letter, Cassett's attention to detail, from the tilt of the woman's head to the intricate designs in her blue dress and on the ecru wallpaper in the background are at once delicate and strong--and the details invite me to look more closely.

Huffington Post

On his catwalk, Mr. Mizrahi will think nothing of pairing a $20,000 skirt embroidered in an intricate patchwork design with a $14.99 Target stretch-cotton wrap-shirt, or a $15,000 camel's-hair suit with a $9.99 cotton tank top.

The New York Times

When you think of the act of coloring and getting lost in an intricate coloring design, this is exactly what you are doing.

Huffington Post

Companies such as Shapeways, Sculpteo, Meltwerk, i.materialise and others spend big bucks (hundreds of thousands of dollars per printer) on top-of-the-line professional 3D printers that utilize different technologies to print intricate designs in many varieties of materials, including metals and ceramics.

TechCrunch

The teahouse is shaped like a shortened train car and is painted with intricate designs in which Chinese reds and greens dominate.

Huffington Post

The intricate designs in the ceiling and the gorgeous chandelier are just a taste of what else this home has to offer.

Huffington Post

Jesse Tuesday (right), Sam McWilliams and Hannah Wednesday specialize in intricate custom designs; even if you're not in the market for body art, their portfolios -- open on the front counter -- are worth a browse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual elements, use "intricate in design" to convey a sense of complexity and detail that enhances aesthetic appeal or functional sophistication. For example: "The tapestry was intricate in design, featuring countless interwoven threads."

Common error

Avoid using "intricate in design" when "intricate" alone suffices. For instance, instead of saying "the watch had an intricate design in its face", simply state "the watch face had an intricate design".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intricate in design" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing its qualities. It emphasizes the complexity and detail present in the design, as evidenced by Ludwig examples that showcase sophisticated artistry and engineering.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intricate in design" effectively describes something possessing a complex and detailed design. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in English, most commonly in contexts like News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While the phrase is "uncommon", its impact lies in conveying a sense of sophisticated artistry and engineering. For alternatives, "complex in its design", "detailed in its design", and "elaborate in design" offer similar meanings, each with slight shifts in emphasis. Use this phrase to add depth to your descriptions and convey appreciation for meticulous craftsmanship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex in its design

Replaces "intricate" with "complex" while maintaining the same structure and meaning.

detailed in its design

Substitutes "intricate" with "detailed", focusing on the high level of detail in the design.

elaborate in design

Replaces "intricate" with "elaborate", emphasizing the complexity and sophistication of the design.

sophisticated in design

Highlights the refined and advanced nature of the design, replacing "intricate" with "sophisticated".

finely detailed in design

Adds "finely" to emphasize the precision and delicacy of the design's details.

intricately designed

Transforms the phrase into a participle adjective, modifying a noun directly.

complexly designed

Similar to intricately designed, focuses on the complexity of the design's execution.

of intricate design

Reverses the order and uses "of" to create a similar meaning.

characterized by an intricate design

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that the subject is characterized by its intricate design.

featuring an intricate design

Similar to 'characterized by', but emphasizes the presence of an intricate design as a feature.

FAQs

What does "intricate in design" mean?

The phrase "intricate in design" describes something with a complex and detailed design. It suggests a high level of care and skill went into its creation.

How can I use "intricate in design" in a sentence?

You can use "intricate in design" to describe objects or systems that have a high level of detail and complexity. For example: "The clockwork mechanism was "complex in its design"."

What are some alternatives to "intricate in design"?

Alternatives include "detailed in its design", "elaborate in design", or "sophisticated in design". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "intricate design" or "intricate in design"?

While both are grammatically correct, "intricate design" is often more concise and direct. "Intricate in design" is useful when you want to emphasize the design aspect specifically, as in "the mechanism was "intricately designed"".