template or templet

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A way of asking which spelling is correct; 'template' is the standard form and 'templet' is a rare variant.

   Grammar: Used as a question or as a heading when checking spelling; normally written with 'or' between the two forms.

   Patterns

   • template or templet?
   • Is it template or templet?

   She wrote 'template or templet?' in the margin of her notes.

   Our style guide answers the question 'template or templet?' in one line: use 'template'.

   If you are unsure whether to write template or templet, choose 'template'.

2. 2nouncountable

   A document or file used as a starting pattern for making new documents of the same kind.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a template' or 'three templates'; often followed by 'for'.

   Patterns

   • a template for something
   • use something as a template
   • fill in a template

   Save the letter as a template so you can reuse the layout.

   The teacher gave us a template for the lab report.

   I made a template for invoices in my word processor.

3. 3nouncountabletechnical

   A thin board or piece of metal cut into a shape and used to mark or cut the same shape accurately.

   Grammar: Countable; common in woodwork, building and engineering contexts.

   Patterns

   • cut something with a template
   • a wooden template

   The carpenter held a wooden template against the board and drew around it.

   Workers used a metal template to drill the holes in exactly the same place.

4. 4nouncountableformalfigurative

   A model of a person or thing that others copy or try to be like.

   Grammar: Countable and slightly formal; often used in the phrase 'a template for'.

   Patterns

   • a template for something
   • provide a template for something

   Her early experiments became a template for later research.

   The treaty offered a template for peace in the region.

5. 5nouncountablebiologyspecialist

   A short strip of DNA or RNA in a cell that is copied to make a matching molecule.

   Grammar: Countable; used in biology and genetics, often before another noun, as in 'template strand'.

   Patterns

   • a DNA template
   • the template strand

   The enzyme reads the DNA template and builds a matching strand.

   Scientists used an RNA template to copy the sequence.

Word forms

Common combinations

use a template

Use a template to keep all the reports looking the same.

a template for something

This form is a template for all future applications.

fill in a template

Fill in the template and send it back by Friday.

a design template

The website comes with twenty design templates.

provide a template

The case provides a template for other cities to follow.

Synonyms and how they differ

pattern

More general and often about shapes or repeated behavior, while 'template' usually means something you copy or fill in.

model

Often a finished example that others imitate; a template is usually blank and meant to be filled in.

mold

Used for shaping physical objects such as jelly or metal; 'template' is used for documents, shapes drawn on material, or DNA.

stencil

A physical sheet with a cut-out shape for painting or drawing, a narrower use than 'template'.

Word family

templated adjective

Made or produced from a template, as in 'a templated email'.

templating noun

The activity or system of building pages or documents from templates, common in computing.

Commonly confused: template or templet or templet? template or templet or temp late?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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