# patchwork

/ˈpætʃˌwɝk/ (US) · /pˈætʃwɜːk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/patchwork
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a piece of cloth made by sewing many different small pieces of fabric together. You can also use this word to describe anything made of many different parts that do not always match.

For teachers: a fabric construction created by sewing together small pieces of varied materials; by extension, any collection of diverse and potentially mismatched elements. Often used metaphorically to describe systems or landscapes.

## Examples

- My grandmother made a beautiful patchwork quilt.
- The city's architecture is a patchwork of modern glass towers and ancient stone churches.
- The current legal framework is a confusing patchwork of local and national regulations that often contradict one another, making compliance difficult for small businesses.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the craft or style; countable when referring to a specific physical object or a metaphorical collection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.