noun
Common
template
TEHM-pliht
Template (noun) means a pre-made pattern or shape used as a guide for making other objects. Example: “The carpenter traced round a wooden template to cut each shelf bracket the same.”
noun
1
A pre-made pattern or shape used as a guide for making other objects.
"The carpenter traced round a wooden template to cut each shelf bracket the same."
"Children can draw a star by following a plastic template."
"She used a cardboard template to cut identical fabric pieces."
2
A ready-made document or file that provides a starting structure for others to fill in.
"Our team uses a slide template so every presentation looks consistent."
"He downloaded a résumé template and just filled in his details."
"The email template saves us from writing the same reply over and over."
How to use template
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ready-made pattern, form, or document you reuse or fill in rather than starting from scratch.
Common pairings
use a template
fill in the template
invoice template
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like template.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- templates
- Third person singular
- templates
- Past tense
- templated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The carpenter traced round a wooden _____ to cut each shelf bracket the same.
Etymology
An altered form of "templet," probably from French templet, related to "temple" (a weaver's stretching device); the ending changed by analogy with the word "plate."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for template
See all rhymes for template →Frequently asked questions
What does “template” mean?
The word “template” means a pre-made pattern or shape used as a guide for making other objects. In plain terms, a ready-made pattern, form, or document you reuse or fill in rather than starting from scratch.
How do you pronounce “template”?
“Template” is pronounced TEHM-pliht (/ˈtɛm.plɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “template” in a sentence?
Here is “template” used in a sentence: “She used a cardboard template to cut identical fabric pieces.”
What part of speech is “template”?
“Template” is a noun.
Where does the word “template” come from?
The word “template” comes from French. An altered form of "templet," probably from French templet, related to "temple" (a weaver's stretching device); the ending changed by analogy with the word "plate.".
Is “template” a common word?
“Template” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “template” have?
“Template” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pre-made pattern or shape used as a guide for making other objects.
What is the difference between a template and a form?
A template is a ready-made document or pattern that provides a starting structure for others to build on or fill in, such as a resume template or a physical shape template used for cutting. A form is usually a specific document with blank fields meant to collect information, which can itself be based on a template.
What is the difference between a template and a model?
A template is typically a reusable structure or pattern meant to be copied or filled in repeatedly, while a model is often a single representative example or prototype. In practice the words overlap, but "template" more strongly implies something designed for repeated reuse.
Can "template" refer to something other than a document?
Yes, template can also mean a physical pattern or shape used as a guide, such as a sewing template or a cutting template used in manufacturing. Both the physical and document senses share the core idea of a guide that others copy or follow.
