devise

devise — verb

1. to think up and work out something original, such as a method, system, piece of

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to think up and work out something original, such as a method, system, piece of equipment, or plan, through mental effort and creative thought

例句

The engineering team devised a low-cost water filtration system for rural villages.

devise + noun phrase (system/method/plan)

Chiara devised an app that reminds elderly people to take their medication on time.

同義詞
  • invent

    emphasises creating something that did not exist before, often a physical object or device

  • create

    much broader; can be used for art, ideas, relationships, or physical objects

  • design

    focuses on planning the form, appearance, or function of something

反義詞
  • copy

    to reproduce something that already exists rather than originating something new

  • imitate

    to follow an existing model or pattern instead of creating independently

文法句型

devise + noun phrase

常見錯誤

❌She devised the painting last week.
✅She created the painting last week.
💡'devise' is used for systems, methods, or plans, not for artistic works like paintings or sculptures.
❌The child devised a drawing of a cat.
✅The child drew a picture of a cat.
💡'devise' implies careful mental effort or invention, not simple artistic expression.

2. to think out and arrange the details of a plan, strategy, or arrangement with ca

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to think out and arrange the details of a plan, strategy, or arrangement with careful thought, often in response to a problem or goal

例句

Arjun devised a step-by-step plan to turn the failing business into a profitable one.

devise + plan/strategy

The city council devised new rules to reduce single-use plastic waste in public parks.

同義詞
  • formulate

    more formal, often used for policies, theories, or official plans

  • contrive

    sometimes implies cleverness; can have a negative connotation (scheming)

  • work out

    informal phrasal verb, emphasises solving step by step through effort

反義詞
  • disrupt

    to interrupt or throw into disorder, the opposite of arranging carefully

  • abandon

    to give up on a plan rather than pursuing it with careful thought

文法句型

devise + plan/strategy/scheme

用法筆記

Frequently used with nouns such as plan, strategy, scheme, or system. The emphasis falls on careful arrangement and deliberation rather than on pure originality or invention.

常見錯誤

❌She devised a cake for her sister's birthday.
✅She baked a cake for her sister's birthday.
💡'devise' is not used for everyday acts of making or preparing.

3. (law) to leave or give real property such as land, a house, or other buildings t

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

(law) to leave or give real property such as land, a house, or other buildings to someone through a valid will

例句

Mr. Andrés Guerra devised his beachfront villa to the local historical society.

legal register: devise [property] to [person/institution]

The lawyer confirmed that her client had devised the farmland equally among all four grandchildren.

同義詞
  • bequeath

    the general legal term for giving any kind of property by will; unlike 'devise,' it covers both real and personal property

  • leave

    common, non-technical word for passing property to someone after death

  • will

    informal verb form ('to will something to someone'), usable for any property type

文法句型

devise + property + to + beneficiary

用法筆記

In legal English, devise is only used for real property (land and buildings). Personal property such as money, jewellery, or vehicles is bequeathed, not devised. The person who makes the devise is called the devisor, and the person who receives it is the devisee.

常見錯誤

❌He devised his car and personal savings to his son.
✅He devised his house to his son and bequeathed his savings to his daughter.
💡'devise' covers only real property; personal property requires 'bequeath.'

devise — noun