noun
pattern
PATN
noun
1
A repeated design of shapes, colors, or lines, often decorative.
"The wallpaper had a floral pattern in soft blues and greens."
"She traced the geometric pattern on the tiled floor with her finger."
2
A regular, repeated way that something happens, which can be recognized or used to predict what comes next.
"Analysts noticed a pattern in the company's quarterly sales figures."
"His sleeping pattern changed completely after he started the new job."
3
A template or model used as a guide for making something, especially a garment.
"She bought a sewing pattern to make her own dress."
verb
1
To design or shape something after a model or example.
"The new policy was patterned after a similar law in a neighboring state."
How to Use Pattern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA repeated design, a predictable sequence of events, or a template to copy from.
Common pairings
repeating pattern
behavior pattern
follow a pattern
sewing pattern
Word Forms
patterned past tense, patterns plural, patterns singular
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The wallpaper had a floral _____ in soft blues and greens.
Etymology
From Middle English patron/paterne, from Old French patron — the same root as patron, but the two words split apart in meaning over time.