pattern

A design made by repeating shapes, lines, or colours.

• I like the pattern on your shirt.
• The curtains have a pattern of blue flowers.
• She chose different patterns for the cushions.

Similar words: design, motif

Common phrases: floral pattern, striped pattern, pattern of squares, geometric pattern

A regular way in which someone behaves or things happen.

• His sleep pattern has changed.
• We noticed a similar pattern in their behaviour.
• The results show a pattern of steady improvement.

How to use it: a pattern of something/doing something (There is a pattern of arriving late on Mondays.)

Similar words: routine, trend

Common phrases: sleep pattern, behaviour pattern, pattern of something

A model or shape used as a guide for making something else.

• Use this pattern to make the skirt.
• She cut the fabric using a paper pattern.
• Do these patterns include instructions?

Similar words: template, model, outline

Common phrases: dress pattern, sewing pattern, follow a pattern

To make or design something by following the example of something else.

• They pattern their designs on older houses.
• The system was patterned after a French model.
• We patterned our training programme on theirs.

How to use it: pattern something on something (They patterned the new school on a successful local model.); pattern something after something (She patterned her teaching style after her favourite teacher’s.)

Similar words: model, base

Common phrases: pattern something on something, pattern something after something