2
general::
pattern
a regularly repeated arrangement of shapes, colours, or lines on a surface:
• Some of his pictures use patterns of dots. • The lines formed a regular pattern.
design
a pattern used for decorating something, especially cloth or paper:
• curtains with a floral design (= based on flowers )
markings
the coloured patterns and shapes on an animal’s fur, feathers, or skin:
• the tiger’s black and orange markings
motif
formal a single shape that is regularly repeated to form a pattern which decorates something:
• A triangle within a square is a very common motif in Muslim art. • The shield motif in the frescoes at Knossos is a religious, not a military, symbol.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
noun arrangement of lines, shapes, etc. ADJ. intricate | geometric | floral VERB + PATTERN have The jumper has a geometric pattern on it. | design, make, print, produce, weave PREP. in a/the ~ He had arranged the glasses in a pattern on the table. | ~ on the pattern on the carpet usual manner ADJ. basic, existing, familiar, normal, predictable, regular, set, traditional There is no set pattern for these meetings. | changing, ever-changing | complex | main | overall The overall pattern of our life changes little. | behaviour | employment | weather VERB + PATTERN establish, set | follow Their actions follow a very predictable pattern. | fall into, fit into ideas that do not fit neatly into his patterns of thought | show 67% of patients showed a similar pattern of improvement. PATTERN + VERB develop, emerge Similar patterns are emerging all over Eastern Europe. | change PREP. ~ for the normal pattern for a boy/girl relationship | ~ in the main patterns in English spelling | ~ of patterns of behaviour
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
pattern
phrases
a pattern of behaviour
• It's easy to get stuck in the same old pattern of behaviour.
a pattern of development
• Regular checks help to ensure that the child is following the normal pattern of development
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + pattern
the same/a similar pattern
• Each of the murders has followed a similar pattern.
a different pattern
• There are different patterns of social life in urban areas.
the basic pattern
• The basic pattern of her working day rarely changed.
the general pattern
• The general pattern of change has been one of upward mobility.
the normal/usual pattern
• As soon as she could, she resumed the normal pattern of her life.
a set/fixed pattern
(= one that does not change )
• These incidents followed a set pattern.
a weather pattern
• Rising global temperatures are affecting weather patterns.
a behaviour pattern
• He studied animal behaviour patterns.
a sleep pattern
• Disturbed sleep patterns may be a symptom of depression.
a speech pattern
• Computers are now able to produce acceptable speech patterns.
a spending pattern
• The bank’s computer can detect unusual spending patterns.
verbs
a pattern emerges
(= can be seen when something is studied )
• Although the numbers are small, a pattern began to emerge.
follow a pattern
• Her headaches did not seem to follow any particular pattern.
fit a pattern
( also conform to a pattern formal ) (= match a particular pattern )
• Last week’s bombing fits this pattern.
establish a pattern
• You should try to establish a pattern of working that suits you.
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