patch
gb/pˈæt͡ʃ/ us/pˈæt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Piece of material for repair
A small piece of cloth or other material used to fix a hole or cover a damaged place.
Usage pattern:
a patch on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'patch' (the object) with the verb 'to patch' (the action).
Synonyms
mend (Refers to the act of repairing, not the material itself.)
Antonyms
tear (Refers to damage or a hole, the opposite of a repair.)
Collocations
sew a patch
|iron-on patch
|denim patch
|fabric patch
Themes
daily life
|clothing
|repairs
|daily_life
Examples
- She sewed a patch over the hole in her jeans.
- The jacket had a leather patch on the elbow.
- He used an iron-on patch to fix his backpack.
- The quilt was made from colorful fabric patches.
Learner examples
- I put a patch on my shirt.
- The pants have a blue patch.
- She made a patch for her bag.
- There is a patch on his coat.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Small distinct area
A small part of land or surface that looks different from what is around it.
Usage pattern:
a patch of [something]
Synonyms
spot (Informal; can refer to any small area, not just land.)
Antonyms
expanse (Refers to a large continuous area, opposite of a small section.)
Collocations
patch of grass
|patch of dirt
|patch of sunlight
Themes
nature
|geography
|daily life
|space
Examples
- There was a muddy patch on the field.
- A patch of wildflowers grew near the fence.
- He stood in a patch of shade under the tree.
- The dog rolled around on a patch of grass.
Learner examples
- I see a patch of snow.
- The cat sleeps in a patch of sun.
- There is a patch of flowers.
- We walked over a patch of ice.
Verb
B1
action
3
Repair by covering damage
To fix a hole or tear by putting something over it.
Usage pattern:
to patch [something] (up)
Synonyms
mend (More general term for fixing; may not always involve adding new material.)
Antonyms
damage (To cause harm or break something instead of fixing it.)
Collocations
patch up a hole
|patch the roof
|patch jeans
Themes
daily life
|repairs
|daily_life
|clothing
Examples
- They patched the roof after the storm.
- She patched up her old coat.
- The software team patched the security hole quickly.
- He patched the tire so we could keep driving.
Learner examples
- We patched the wall.
- I will patch my pants.
- He patched the hole in the boat.
- They patched the roof.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Software fix update
A small computer program that fixes problems in another program.
Synonyms
update (Broader term; can include new features as well as fixes.)
Antonyms
bug (An error or flaw in software that may require a patch.)
Collocations
security patch
|software patch
|install patch
Themes
technology
|computers
Examples
- The company released a security patch for the app.
- You should install the latest patch to fix the problem.
- Developers worked overnight to create a patch for the glitch.
Learner examples
- I downloaded a new patch for my game.
- The software needs a patch.
- They made a patch for the bug.
Noun
B2
state
5
Difficult period in life
A short time when things are hard for someone.
Synonyms
slump (Usually refers to reduced performance, especially in sports or business.)
Antonyms
good spell (A period when things go well; opposite of a rough patch.)
Collocations
rough patch
|bad patch
Themes
emotions
|life
|daily_life
|work
|health
Examples
- They went through a rough patch in their marriage.
- I'm having a bit of a bad patch at work lately.
- After his injury, he hit a rough patch in his career.
Learner examples
- We had a rough patch last year.
- She is in a bad patch now.
- He went through a rough patch at school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patch
IPA
GB/pˈæt͡ʃ/
US/pˈæt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
patch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (patch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: patch
- Plural: patches
Verb
- Base: patch
- 3rd Person Singular: patches
- Present Participle: patching
- Past: patched
Word family
Expressions
not be a patch on [something/someone]
1/nˈɑt bˈi ə pˈæt͡ʃ ˈɔn səmˈɛθɪŋsˈoʊmˈoʊn/
idiom
informal
Much worse than something else
To be much worse than someone or something else.
Examples
- This new phone isn't a patch on my old one.
- He's not a patch on his brother when it comes to cooking.
patch things up
1/pˈæt͡ʃ θˈɪŋz ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Fix relationship or situation
To make peace after an argument or fix something that is broken.
Examples
- After their fight, they managed to patch things up.
- We need to patch things up before the meeting.
rough patch
1/ɹˈʌf pˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Short period of trouble
A short time when things are not going well.
Examples
- They are going through a rough patch in their relationship.
- He hit a rough patch after losing his job.