pattern
word
Definition
A pattern is a repeated design, arrangement, or way in which something happens. It can refer to visual shapes on cloth or paper, or to a regular behavior or sequence that appears again and again.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in both everyday and academic English. 'Pattern' often collocates with 'behavior', 'weather', 'sleep', 'traffic', and 'pattern on a shirt'. For repeated actions or trends, use 'a pattern of'; for visual decoration, use 'a floral/geometric pattern'. Don't confuse it with 'model', which more often means an example or version to copy.
Example Sentences
We're seeing the same pattern again: sales go up on weekends and drop on Mondays.
natural
This shirt has a blue pattern on it.
basic
I can see a pattern in the numbers.
basic
Her sleep pattern changed after the trip.
basic
At first it felt random, but now there's a clear pattern to how they make decisions.
natural
That kind of late-night scrolling can turn into a bad pattern if you're not careful.
natural