# pattern

/ˈpætɝn/ (US) · /pˈætən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pattern
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. decorative design

noun · CEFR A2

a design or decoration that repeats the same shapes or colours.

For teachers: a decorative arrangement of repeated shapes, lines, or colours on a surface.

- The wallpaper has a pretty floral pattern that repeats every few inches.
- The architect incorporated a geometric pattern into the floor tiles to echo the building's structural symmetry.

### 2. regular habit or sequence

noun · CEFR B1

the regular way in which something happens or is done.

For teachers: a consistent or characteristic way in which something happens, develops, or is arranged.

- The doctor noticed a pattern in the patient's symptoms every morning.
- Meteorologists are studying the changing weather patterns to better predict the frequency of severe storms in the region.

### 3. a template or model

noun · CEFR B1

a guide or shape used to help you make something, like clothes.

For teachers: a template or guide used as a model for making something, particularly in sewing or manufacturing.

- She bought a paper pattern to help her sew a new dress.
- The engineer used a digital pattern to ensure each component was cut to the exact specifications required for the assembly.

### 4. to model after

verb · CEFR B2

to copy or base something on another thing.

For teachers: to design or model something according to a specific example or system.

- The new school was patterned after a famous university in Europe.
- The curriculum is patterned on a traditional liberal arts model, emphasizing critical thinking over rote memorization.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'after' or 'on'

### 5. to arrange or fix

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Dialect · British English

to organize or arrange something, often used in London slang.

For teachers: to arrange, organize, or resolve a situation. Common in Multicultural London English.

- Don't worry about the tickets; I'll get it patterned for us.
- He managed to get the whole situation patterned before the manager arrived, so there was no further conflict.

## Examples

- The wallpaper has a beautiful floral pattern.
- The doctor noticed a regular pattern in the patient's symptoms every morning.
- By analyzing historical data, the researchers identified a distinct pattern of migration that correlates with seasonal changes in water temperature and food availability.

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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.