pattern
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈpatən/
note: younger also
ipa: /ˈpatn̩/
ipa: /ˈpætɚn/
rhymes: -ætə(ɹ)n
homophone: paten
homophone: patten
homophone: Patton (non-rhotic)
Forms: form: patterns
form: patterning
form: patterned
form: patterned
Etymology: From earlier patten, paterne, from Middle English patron (“patron; example”), from Old French patron, from Medieval Latin patrōnus (“patron”). Doublet of padrone, patron, Patronus, and patroon.
Senses: glosses: To apply a pattern.
examples: text: [A temple] patterned […] from that which Adam reared in Paradise.
ref: 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC:
glosses: To make or design (anything) by, from, or after, something that serves as a pattern; to copy; to model; to imitate.
examples: text: Under his system, patterned after the French, the army corps became a more mobile, flexible command.
ref: 1998, John B. Wilson, The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades:
glosses: To follow an example.
examples: text: Although there is no direct evidence for the identification of *θi as a genuine prefix in this word, it patterns well with the other discussed instances of *θi- both morphologically and semantically.
ref: 2025, Cid Swanenvleugel, The Pre-Roman Elements of the Sardinian Lexicon, page 198:
glosses: To fit into a pattern.
glosses: To serve as an example for.
topics: hobbies
hunting
lifestyle
glosses: To observe an animal closely over time in order to discern its habitual movements and behaviours.
examples: text: MALACHI: Are you two fucking mad? Listen, you need to pattern up, you know?
ref: 2022 June 2, Gabrielle Wood, 21:20 from the start, in Teddy Nygh, director, PRU (1), episode 2 (TV), spoken by Malachi (Billy Myagi):
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
examples: text: Pattern gang, who they patterning? Pull up, skrr, have them panicking.
ref: 2017 November 1, “No Hook”, performed by CGM:
text: Batteries already included, man just shoot it. Trying to pattern your bruces (all of them).
ref: 2020 October 31, “The Rule of Six” (track 2), in Day of the Dead, performed by Block 6:
text: YS just crashed that corn and I swear man's eardrum started rattling (Mad ting). Touch jail when the gang starts patterning.
ref: 2021, “Gang Bus (Original)”, performed by S13(CGE):
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
To assault.
examples: text: The system can't pattern me out or pattern me down, I'll pattern these clowns. They tried block my path, I built my own. Ya dun know, better start patterning now.
ref: 2015 December 25, “BlukuByeByeBye” (track 3), in Rap vs Grime, performed by Chip:
text: Let me pattern these boys on time.
ref: 2021 June 25, “Twx Txne”, performed by Scarlxrd:
text: And I can't lie, I'm really disgusted. I gave 'em my swag, they ain't doing it right. Ima pattern these kids like Ofsted (Chyeah).
ref: 2022, “R U Dumb”, performed by Lancey Foux:
text: Slap him up to pattern him.
ref: 2024 January 18, “Switch”, performed by Rvchet:
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
To teach someone a lesson.
examples: text: Pretty girls wanna beat, wanna pattern.
ref: 2019, “Yapping (Cheating on wifey demo)”, performed by Krept & Konan:
text: My gal so fine, pattern her. Sorry, little nigga, better pattern up.
ref: 2019 June 20, “Persian”, performed by ZieZie:
text: Don't do dates and I don't like coffee. If she's a 10 I'll pattern her properly.
ref: 2021 June 7, “Council Boy”, performed by Alista Marq:
text: I see it, I want it, I click it. Nights in the bando, Pyrex whippin'. Pattern your bitch 'cause she's likin' my pictures.
ref: 2021 August 17, “London Scammer”, performed by Tanks & Tarm:
text: I call her the passionate topper. I book out the suite and she pattern me proper.
ref: 2023 October 19, “On a flight” (track 10), in Ticket To The Moon, performed by Nafe Smallz:
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
To have sex with.
examples: text: You know man's patterned, man's still slanging. Pack just vanished, all raw, no magic.
ref: 2019 June 21, “Maddest of the Maddest Remix”, performed by Burner:
text: Bro thinks I'm booky, cah I ain't tryna sell him shit. Gotta peb this brick, on the next one I'll pattern him.
ref: 2020 February 20, “Before The Lick”, performed by Kenzo Str8drop:
text: Twenty pound each for the laces but Tae can pattern me three for fifty. Step with my chain out, everyone shifty.
ref: 2023 October 19, “Top 2” (track 13), in Chapter 16, performed by Clavish:
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
To arrange the sale or supply of something, especially illegal drugs.
examples: text: Oh, you mad? Then come at me, you prick. Make a move, better pattern it quick.
ref: 2019 March 1, “Venom” (track 5), in GREY Area (Japan exclusive), performed by Little Simz:
text: Me and bro tryna pattern this grow. We ain't editin' pictures but I'm still croppin'.
ref: 2019 March 22, “Mosh Pit” (track 10), in Drillers x Trappers II, performed by OFB:
text: My girl wanna pattern her hair and nails. So I took her down to Camberwell.
ref: 2021 June 30, “Rumba”, performed by Jordy Mankoto:
glosses: To arrange, to organise, to fix.
To do or perform an activity
Synonyms: model
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