devised: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “devised” mean?
The past tense and past participle of 'devise', meaning to invent, plan, or create something through careful thought and ingenuity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of 'devise', meaning to invent, plan, or create something through careful thought and ingenuity.
The process or result of creatively designing a system, plan, method, or object, often implying intellectual effort and originality applied to solve a specific problem or need.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The related noun 'devise' is a legal term for a clause in a will, which is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal or technical writing in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both UK and US corpora, with a slight edge in academic and business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “devised” in a Sentence
[Subject] devised [Object] (for [Recipient])[Subject] devised [Object] to [Verb][Subject] devised how to [Verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devised” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee devised a new timetable for the rail service.
- She devised a clever method for remembering vocabulary.
American English
- The engineers devised a solution to the software bug.
- They devised a plan to reduce household waste.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form for 'devised']
American English
- [No standard adverbial form for 'devised']
adjective
British English
- The newly-devised curriculum will be piloted next term.
- A cleverly-devised escape route was found in the blueprint.
American English
- The well-devised strategy led to their success.
- He presented a carefully-devised budget proposal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the creation of strategies, financial plans, marketing campaigns, or organisational structures.
Academic
Used for developing theories, experimental methods, research frameworks, or pedagogical approaches.
Everyday
Used for planning trips, meals, games, or solutions to household problems.
Technical
Common in engineering for creating mechanisms, in computing for algorithms, and in law for legal instruments.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devised”
- Using 'devised' for physical construction alone (use 'built' or 'assembled'). Confusing 'devised' with 'deviced' (non-existent). Overuse in place of simpler verbs like 'made' or 'planned'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Invented' typically refers to creating a physical object or a completely original concept (like the telephone). 'Devised' emphasizes the careful planning and intellectual effort behind a plan, method, or system, which may not be a totally new physical object.
Yes, but it adds a nuance of thoughtful planning. Saying 'I devised a shopping list' sounds more deliberate and organized than 'I made a shopping list'.
It is neutral but leans towards formal contexts. It is perfectly acceptable in academic, business, and technical writing, and can be used in everyday speech when you want to emphasize the thoughtful process.
The main noun is 'device' (a tool or technique). However, 'device' is more commonly used for physical objects. The process itself is 'devising'. In law, a 'devise' is a gift of real property in a will.
Devised: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈvaɪzd/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈvaɪzd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No strong idioms; verb used literally]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WISE person using their mind to DE-VISE (create) a clever plan. The 'vise' in the middle can remind you of holding an idea firmly to work on it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS CONSTRUCTING/CREATING (We 'build' plans, 'craft' solutions).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'devised' LEAST appropriate?