pattern

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A repeated arrangement of shapes, colors, lines, or sounds that forms a recognizable design or sequence.

   Grammar: Countable: a pattern, many patterns. Used for visual and sound designs.

   Patterns

   • a pattern of stripes
   • a repeating pattern
   • a floral pattern

   The wallpaper has a delicate pattern of blue flowers.

   A steady pattern of raindrops on the roof helped her fall asleep.

2. 2nouncountable

   A regular, repeated way in which something happens or is done; an observable trend.

   Grammar: Countable. Often followed by of: a pattern of behavior. Used for events and actions, not designs.

   Patterns

   • a pattern of behavior
   • a worrying pattern
   • follow a pattern

   The detective noticed a pattern in the timing of the break-ins.

   There is a clear pattern of late deliveries that we need to address.

3. 3nouncountable

   A template, model, or set of instructions used as a guide to make something.

   Grammar: Countable. Classic use is sewing, where a pattern is the paper shape to cut.

   Patterns

   • a sewing pattern
   • a pattern for a dress
   • cut out a pattern

   She bought a pattern for a summer dress and some light cotton.

   The carpenter traced the pattern onto the wood before cutting.

Word forms

Common combinations

a pattern of behavior

Therapy helped him recognize a pattern of behavior that pushed friends away.

repeating pattern

The data shows a repeating pattern every seven days.

sewing pattern

The sewing pattern includes three sizes and a pocket option.

follow a pattern

Housing prices tend to follow a pattern tied to the school year.

spot a pattern

Once you spot a pattern, the puzzle becomes easy to solve.

Synonyms and how they differ

design

Design covers visual decoration only; it cannot replace the behavior or trend sense.

template

A template is a physical or digital model to copy; a pattern can also be an abstract regularity, as in a pattern of errors.

model

Model suggests an ideal to imitate or a small copy; pattern stresses repetition and regularity.

Opposites

Word family

patterned adjective

Decorated with a pattern: patterned curtains.

pattern verb

To model on something: patterned after her grandmother's recipe.

Commonly confused: pattern or patron?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pattern”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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