patchwork

American  

[pach-wurk] / ˈpætʃˌwɜrk /

noun

1. something made up of an incongruous variety of pieces or parts; hodgepodge.

   a patchwork of verse forms.

   Synonyms:

   mélange, jumble, medley

2. work made of pieces of cloth or leather of various colors or shapes sewed together, used especially for covering quilts, cushions, etc.

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adjective

1. resembling a patchwork, especially in being makeshift, irregular, or improvised.

   a patchwork policy of dispensing foreign aid.

verb (used with object)

1. to make as patchwork.

   She specializes in patchworking skirts.

2. to assemble or connect in making patchwork.

   to patchwork neckties into bedspreads.

patchwork British  

/ ˈpætʃˌwɜːk /

noun

1. needlework done by sewing pieces of different materials together

2. something, such as a theory, made up of various parts

   a patchwork of cribbed ideas

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Other Word Forms

• patchworky adjective

Etymology

Origin of patchwork

First recorded in 1685–95; patch ¹ + work

Example Sentences

Many states have proposed AI bills that could create a regulatory patchwork for companies, worrying tech executives.

From The Wall Street Journal

The UK does have an extensive network of flood defences but there is a patchwork of organisations - including farmers, water companies and charities - responsible for them.

From BBC

From the top of the airport, mountains undulated for miles in what appeared to be a patchwork of land.

From Literature

She longed to be home, wrapped in the patchwork quilt that always lay on the end of the sofa.

From Literature

Each year, he distributes to colleagues a color-coded calendar — a different color for every sport he’s covering that day — and the patchwork on every page looks like the Partridge family bus.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid
• tartan