pattern

noun · verb · adjective

Simple meaning

A model considered worthy of imitation.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

patern

Say the bold part a little louder.

US device voice

IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈpætɚn

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

A model considered worthy of imitation
“The American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics.”
Something from which a copy is made; a model or outline.
Something regarded as a normative example
Model, example.
Someone or something seen as an example to be imitated; an exemplar.
A representative example.

verb

To make or design (anything) by, from, or after, something that serves as a pattern; to copy; to model; to imitate.
To follow an example.
transitive
To serve as an example for.
To arrange the sale or supply of something, especially illegal drugs.
To assault.
To teach someone a lesson.

adjective

Of or in accordance with a usual pattern, or type; model; ideal.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty: A1 · Beginner (estimated)
Frequency: Common
Typical Use: General English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A model considered worthy of imitation

Used this way, pattern is a common word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Heard in a sentence

“The American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics.”

Emotional tone: Neutral
Formality: Neutral
Intensity: Not strongly marked
How common: Common
Connotation: Matter-of-fact
Usage feel: Neutral and straightforward

Usage note

It most often appears in the pattern “pattern for …”, which is worth copying when you use it.

Natural pattern: pattern for …

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use pattern

“The American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics.”noun
“The traffic patterns around O'Hare are very crowded.”noun

Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

diffraction patterngeneral patternsimilar patternnew patternflow patterndifferent patternbasic patternbehavior pattern

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Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Inflected forms

Grammatical variations of the same word.

patternedadjectiveInflected form
Having patterns (especially colorful patterns).

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

pattern-bombverbCompound term
Bomb in certain patterns.
patterned advancenounCompound term
A series with a definite pattern of advance.
herringbone patternnounCompound term
A pattern of columns of short parallel lines with all the lines in one column sloping one way and lines in adjacent columns sloping the other way.
intonation patternnounCompound term
Intonations characteristic of questions and requests and statements.
key patternnounCompound term
An ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief).
male-patterned baldnessnounCompound term
Loss of hair on the crown of the head.

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.