- 1 the regular way in which something happens or is done changing patterns of behaviour an irregular sleeping pattern The murders all seem to follow a (similar) pattern(= happen in the same way). Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebasic, existing, familiar, … verb + patterndiscern, identify, notice, … pattern + verbdevelop, emerge, change, … prepositionpattern for, pattern in, pattern of, … See full entry
- 2 [usually singular] an excellent example to copy This system sets the pattern for others to follow.
- 3 a regular arrangement of lines, shapes, colours, etc. as a design on material, carpets, etc. a pattern of diamonds and squares a shirt with a floral pattern Wordfinderpatternband, check, dot, fleck, pattern, speckle, splash, spot, streak, stripe Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveintricate, abstract, geometric, … verb + patternhave, form, produce, … prepositionin a/the pattern, pattern on, pattern in, … See full entry See related entries: Interior décor
- 4 a design, set of instructions or shape to cut around that you use in order to make something a knitting pattern She bought a dress pattern and some material.
- 5a small piece of material, paper, etc. that helps you choose the design of something synonym sample wallpaper patterns Word OriginMiddle English patron ‘something serving as a model’, from Old French from Latin patronus ‘protector of clients, defender’, from pater, patr- ‘father’. The change in sense is from the idea of a patron giving an example to be copied. By 1700 patron ceased to be used of things, and the two forms became differentiated in sense.Extra examples He had arranged the glasses in a pattern on the table. Her speech patterns are very distinctive. People have changed their spending patterns in response to changing conditions. Portuguese colonial rule followed a similar pattern to that of other powers. She drew patterns in the sand. Similar patterns are emerging all over Eastern Europe. The jumper has a geometric pattern on it. The music contains repeated rhythmic patterns. The overall pattern of our life changes little. The pattern is clear: obesity is associated with lower incomes. The roof beams form a star-like pattern. Their actions follow a very predictable pattern. There is no set pattern for these meetings. They analyzed employees’ email usage patterns. We can trace a familiar pattern to these events. ideas that do not fit neatly into his patterns of thought patterns of behaviour/behavior the main patterns in English spelling the normal pattern for a boy/girl relationship the pattern on the carpet wallpaper with a repeating pattern of interlocking shapes He wore a shirt with a floral pattern. The ice formed patterns on the windows. The murders all seem to follow a (similar) pattern. changing patterns of behaviour/work/weather
Check pronunciation: pattern
