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

The morning after a general election, the result is pretty much complete by breakfast time - but that is not the case in this patchwork of elections around Britain.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Gathered around a large work table, the group talked about their latest project: using offcuts and scrap material from larger tables to make a set of patchwork design tables.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Hannah Peck, left, Jessie Blackman, Ethan Casselbery and Chris Peck work on their latest project: a patchwork table made from leftover wood from previous furniture projects.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Instead, liquid water likely interacted with different parts of the asteroid under varying conditions, creating a patchwork of chemical environments.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Flopears wore a patchwork shirt made out of old Bull Durham sacks.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid
• tartan