Let's say the above is a list of layer names in a drawing.

The pattern FLOOR* returns FLOOR1, FLOOR2, FLOOR3, FLOOR4, FLOOR1ELEC, FLOOR2ELEC, FLOOR3ELEC, and FLOOR4ELEC.

The pattern FLOOR? returns FLOOR1, FLOOR2, FLOOR3 and  FLOOR4.

The pattern FLOOR[13] returns FLOOR1 and FLOOR3.

The pattern *ELEC returns FLOOR1ELEC, FLOOR2ELEC, FLOOR3ELEC, and FLOOR4ELEC.

The pattern ELEC* returns ELECSERVICE.

The pattern *ELEC*  returns ELECSERVICE, FLOOR1ELEC, FLOOR2ELEC, FLOOR3ELEC, and FLOOR4ELEC.

The pattern FLOOR[1-3] returns FLOOR1, FLOOR2 and FLOOR3.

The pattern ~FLOOR* returns 0, BASEMENT, ELECSERVICE and WALLS.

The pattern FLOOR[1-3]* returns  FLOOR1, FLOOR2, FLOOR3, FLOOR1ELEC, FLOOR2ELEC, and FLOOR3ELEC.

Summary:
When AutoCAD requests a name, frequently a group of names can be specified using a wildcard pattern.  Layers, blocks , linetypes , attributes and files are some of the names that recognize wildcards.