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Glite Dictionary
🌱 A small area 🩹 To repair 🩹 A cover piece 💻 A code fix ⏳ A short period 🔌 A temporary link
to patch

to patch

151 2.5
To repair a hole or damaged area by adding a piece of material
  • verb
  • /pæʧ/
translation icon : remendar
  • Are you sure you can patch it back correctly?
  • patch the roof
  • patch together
  • try to patch

OK, so had to patch, had to patch the inner tube because I didn't have a replacement.

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Examples

  • The technician will patch the software to fix the bugs.

  • I need to patch the hole in my jeans before I can wear them again.

  • OK, Can we just, like, patch it together a little bit?

  • We have to patch it together and try to move it back in the direction that allowed it to function.

  • We'll just have to patch it.

    Rat Race (2001)

  • We'll have to get Mike back right away and patch him up.

    The Monster of Piedras Blancas (1959)

  • I'll patch it up myself.

    Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)

  • He called her to try and patch up their relationship.

    Diana: Life in Fashion (2022)

  • And you don't think you can patch things up?

    Jacket (2018)

  • When the roof leaks, a homeowner must decide whether to patch the roof or replace it.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

to fix
vsto patch
∞ 1.0

To repair something so it works again

is specific to covering holes by adding a piece of material
to repair
vsto patch
71 2.1

To try to make a damaged relationship or reputation better

applies only to physical holes covered by adding material
to mend
vsto patch
41 1.2

Fix something that is broken or torn

focuses on adding material to cover holes rather than replacing parts
to patch up
vsto patch
20 3.4

Mend a hole or tear by putting a piece of material over it

is identical in meaning and used in the same repair sense
to fix a leak
vsto patch
1 2.0

To repair a break in a pipe that lets water or gas out

focuses on covering holes with material rather than only stopping leaks
to doctor
vsto patch
1 4.8

To fix something that is torn or broken

relies on adding material to cover damage rather than part replacement
to fix the crack
vsto patch
1 1.4

To repair a break or hole in a surface so it is smooth and whole again

adds material to cover holes rather than fully smoothing surfaces
to fill the pothole
vsto patch
2.6

To put material into a hole in the road to make it level

is more general and not limited to road surfaces
to fix the gap
vsto patch
2.5

Close a space between two things to stop air or light coming through

uses added material to cover a hole rather than just joining edges

Antonyms

to destroy
∞ 1.0

Damage something so badly that it cannot be used or fixed

Idioms

to hit a rough patch
5 4.8

To go through a short time with problems after a good time

Phrasal Verbs

to patch up
25 3.5

Make a relationship better after an argument or disagreement

to patch up
20 3.4

Mend a hole or tear by putting a piece of material over it

to patch the software
  • Specialized
4.0

To fix problems in a computer program by installing updates

Compounds

soul patch
3 7.9

A small area of hair just under the lower lip above the chin

vegetable patch
  • UK
2 2.0

A small area in a garden where people grow vegetables

shoulder patch
  • US
1 4.2

A cloth badge on a uniform shoulder showing rank or group

briar-patch
  • Informal
1 9.1

A difficult situation with many problems that is hard to leave

brier patch
  • US
1 8.1

A thick area of prickly bushes that can scratch you

patch pocket
1 4.9

A flat pocket sewn onto the outside of a jacket or shirt

skin patch
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A small sticky pad that slowly sends medicine into the body

estradiol patch
  • Specialized
6.3

A small sticky medicine you put on your skin to replace the female hormone estradiol

patch test
  • Specialized
3.6

A test that puts small sticky pads with substances on skin to check for allergy

patch test
  • Specialized
3.5

A test that checks a software update works and does not cause new bugs

Peyer's patch
  • Specialized
9.1

A small area of tissue in the small intestine that helps the body fight germs

transdermal patch
  • Specialized
4.6

A sticky pad put on the skin that sends medicine into the blood slowly

skin patch
  • Specialized
3.5

A small sticky pad with sensors that record or send health data

How Thorough

to restore
219 3.5
to repair
365 1.0
to darn
20 5.3
to patch
151 2.5

Surface Forms

patch infinitive
patched past
patched past participle
patching present participle
patches third person singular

Etymology

The verb patch comes from the noun for a small cloth used to mend things; to patch is to put that small piece on something to cover or repair a hole. That's why you can 'patch' jeans, a quilt, or even software.