Meaning & use
blueprint
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
A detailed technical drawing of a building, machine or design.
Grammar: Countable: the blueprint for the house.
Patterns
- a blueprint for something
The architect showed us the blueprint of the library.
Engineers studied the blueprints for the engine.
nouncountablefigurative
A detailed plan or model that others can follow to achieve something.
Grammar: Usually with for: a blueprint for success.
Patterns
- a blueprint for something
The agreement is a blueprint for peace.
The city's recycling scheme became a blueprint for others.
verbtransitiverare
To make a detailed plan for something.
Grammar: Takes an object; rare.
Patterns
- blueprint something
The team blueprinted the whole process.
She blueprinted a plan for the school.
Word forms
| plural | blueprints |
|---|---|
| third person singular | blueprints |
| past tense | blueprinted |
| past participle | blueprinted |
| -ing form | blueprinting |
Common combinations
- blueprint for success
- The coach has a blueprint for success.
- architectural blueprint
- An architectural blueprint lay on the table.
- draw up a blueprint
- They drew up a blueprint.
- blueprint for the future
- The report is a blueprint for the future.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- print noun
- a copy made from a master drawing
Practice
The city's successful bike program became a ___ for other towns.
Choose one answer.
Blueprint for means a model plan to copy. The others do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “blueprint”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.