What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pattern
Example
The dress has a floral pattern that repeats every few inches. [pattern: noun]
Example
The weather patterns in this region are very predictable. [patterns: plural noun]
Example
This software follows the MVC design pattern. [pattern: noun]
configuration
Example
The configuration of the furniture in the room makes it feel more spacious. [configuration: noun]
Example
I need to change the configuration of my phone's settings to connect to the new network. [configuration: noun]
Example
Our team's configuration for this project includes two designers and three developers. [configuration: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pattern is more commonly used than configuration in everyday language, especially in creative or artistic contexts. Configuration is more specialized and technical, often used in fields such as computer science, engineering, or management.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pattern and configuration?
Configuration is generally more formal than pattern, as it is often used in technical or professional contexts where precision and accuracy are important.