devising: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “devising” mean?
The process of inventing, planning, or creating something new and often clever.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of inventing, planning, or creating something new and often clever.
The act of carefully thinking out, designing, or formulating a complex strategy, system, method, or plan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or spelling.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries a connotation of intellectual effort and deliberate creation.
Frequency
Equally formal and moderately frequent in both academic and professional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “devising” in a Sentence
devising + [noun phrase] (direct object)devising + of + [noun phrase]be + engaged in + devisingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devising” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee is devising a new safety protocol for the laboratories.
- She spent the afternoon devising a clever route to avoid the motorway traffic.
American English
- The team is devising a new marketing strategy for the product launch.
- He's busy devising a plan to finish the project ahead of schedule.
adjective
British English
- The devising process took several weeks of collaborative workshops.
- Her devising skills are exceptional; she always finds a novel solution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the creation of business strategies, marketing plans, or financial models.
Academic
Used in social sciences, engineering, and humanities for describing the methodology or creation of frameworks.
Everyday
Used for planning events, trips, or clever solutions to domestic problems.
Technical
Common in engineering, software development, and policy design for the creation of systems or protocols.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devising”
- Misspelling as 'devicing' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'devising' (verb-derived noun) with 'device' (a tool).
- Using it as a verb in a sentence where a verb form is needed (e.g., 'He is devising a plan' is correct; 'His devising a plan' is a noun phrase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily the present participle and gerund (verbal noun) of the verb 'devise'. In sentences like 'Devising a plan took time', it functions as a noun.
'Devising' often emphasizes the planning and strategic creation of a method, plan, or system. 'Inventing' typically refers to creating a completely new physical object, machine, or concept for the first time.
Yes, but it is slightly more formal than phrases like 'thinking up' or 'coming up with'. It is perfectly natural in contexts where the planning effort is significant or clever.
The primary noun form is the gerund 'devising'. The related noun 'device' refers to the tool or object created, not the process. 'Devise' can also be a legal noun meaning a clause in a will.
The process of inventing, planning, or creating something new and often clever.
Devising: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈvaɪzɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈvaɪzɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not commonly found in specific idioms. The concept appears in phrases like 'devise and bequeath' (legal).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WISE person using their mind to DE-VISE (create) a new plan.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS CONSTRUCTION/CREATION ('building a plan', 'crafting a solution').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'devising' LEAST appropriate?