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• pat
  pat

  verb (used with object)

  to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape.
• Pat
  Pat

  noun

  a male given name, form of Patrick.
• PAT
  PAT

  point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
• pat.
  pat.

  abbreviation

  patent.

pat

¹ American  

[pat] / pæt /

verb (used with object)

patted, patting

1. to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape.

   to pat dough into flat pastry forms.

2. to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.

3. to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.

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verb (used without object)

patted, patting

1. to strike lightly or gently.

2. to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

• pats
  plural

1. a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.

2. the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

3. a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc..

   a pat of butter.

   Synonyms:

   dab, cake, square

idioms

1. a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement.

   Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.

2. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.

3. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage.

   The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

pat ² American  

[pat] / pæt /

adjective

1. exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune.

   a pat solution to a problem.

2. excessively glib; unconvincingly facile.

   His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.

3. learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly.

   to have something pat.

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adverb

1. exactly or perfectly.

2. aptly; opportunely.

idioms

1. stand pat,

   1. to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.

      The government must stand pat in its policy.

   2. Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.

2. down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold

   If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.

Pat ³ American  

[pat] / pæt /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Patrick.

2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

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PAT ⁴ American  

1. Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.

2. Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

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pat. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. patent.

2. patented.

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pat ¹ British  

/ pæt /

verb

1. to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface

   to pat a ball

2. to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc

3. (tr) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm

4. (intr) to walk or run with light footsteps

5. informal to congratulate or encourage someone

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noun

1. a light blow with something flat

2. a gentle slap

3. a small mass of something

   a pat of butter

4. the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps

5. informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

pat ² British  

/ pæt /

adverb

1. Also: off pat.  exactly or fluently memorized or mastered

   he recited it pat

2. opportunely or aptly

3. 1. to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc

   2. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt

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adjective

1. exactly right for the occasion; apt

   a pat reply

2. too exactly fitting; glib

   a pat answer to a difficult problem

3. exactly right

   a pat hand in poker

Pat ³ British  

/ pæt /

noun

1. an informal name for an Irishman

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pat ⁴ British  

/ pæt /

noun

1. informal alone; on one's own

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pat More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pat

• stand pat

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• patness
  noun
• patter
  noun
• unpatted
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pats
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pat¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pat “blow, stroke,” apparently of expressive origin

Origin of pat²

First recorded in 1570–80; originally adverbial use of pat ¹, as obsolete to hit pat “to strike accurately”

Explanation

When you pat, you tap lightly with your hand. A sad friend might be comforted by a kind pat on the shoulder. But that sad friend would not be comforted by a pat, insincere, comment. Your grandfather might pat you on the head just like when you were little, even though you're taller than he is now. Dogs like getting a pat on the head, or maybe a pat of butter from the dinner table. When it's an adjective, pat means "way too simple" or "glib," as in "I asked a serious question — please don't give me a pat answer." To "have something down pat" is to know it by heart.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pat Pat PAT pat. pats patted patting

Twelve of 13 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expected the RBI to stand pat in August, while one had forecast a 25-basis-point increase.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

A decision to stand pat has been made easier by the bond market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

"It feels to me like they are looking for reasons to stand pat, and this gives them a reason," said Edelberg, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Anything less than that, and the Fed is almost certain to stand pat.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026

After a particularly lively two-step, I felt a pat on my shoulder.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

There are a lot more layers to it,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Pat Green, of the Simon Community said the busk became "a tradition on the calendar" in the city.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: "By providing bursaries to those who need them most and fully funding apprenticeship training, we are making sure cost is not the reason someone misses out."

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Pat McAfee knows just what the world needs in 2026.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

She recalls she got further encouragement at Cypress from a com-munications professor named Pat Ganer.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

In PAT, tissue molecules that absorb light vibrate after being hit by short laser pulses, producing acoustic signals that can be measured and converted into detailed images.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2026

“As polymer prices continue its downtrend, this may cause PAT margins to trend deeper in negative territory,” Yap says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025

One group was given oxytocin nose spray and asked to complete a “partner appreciation task,” or PAT, consisting of a 10-minute mutual-appreciation session.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025

Early in the season, fans sometimes need to close their eyes and pray when there’s a punt or PAT attempt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025

I am yours, Reverend Sir, to command, PAT.

From The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 2 by Browning, William Ernst

“We finally got it down pat. We’ve got the chemistry down pat, where we know where guys are going to be. … We’re just all on one page,” Wall said.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 26, 2017

“I don’t think you’ll see us sitting pat. I think you’ll see us aggressive and trying to get better. Maybe in some areas that the normal fan isn’t anticipating to happen.”

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2016

We drank it, O ale-knight, sub teg. pat. fag. more than five years ago, of a summer evening, in dear old Cambridge, then undisfigured by the New Chapel.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 13, November, 1858 by Various

Diamine orange D C, pat., with an addition of 6½ oz. soap, 4 to 5 dr. soda per 10 gallons liquor, 16 oz.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin

Diamine sky blue, pat., per 100 lb. of dry goods, ½ lb.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin

The most decadent oatmeal I’ve ever had came from a room-service tray: heavy cream, three pats of melting salted butter, a tiny jar of Bonne Maman strawberry jam and a tin of spiced nuts.

From Salon ● Nov. 13, 2025

He pats my arm, then walks me to Jaarsma Bakery and stands in line with me, telling me how good the cake is.

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2025

The room where we meet has several places to sit, but Chan pats a spot on her couch right next to her.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2025

An agent with a baseball hat and FBI vest pats his heart and appears to be talking to him and trying to calm him down.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

I let myself cry in my grandfather’s arms as he gently pats my back.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

The president patted one student on the arm and asked if he was a "strong person," to which the boy replied "yes, sir."

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

As Hugo Ekitike walked off to the adulation of the Anfield crowd last Saturday and took his seat on the bench, Alexander Isak simply patted his Liverpool team-mate's hair from behind.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026

The preseason poll patted IU on the head with a No. 20 ranking.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025

Powell just eased up on the gas to drop to 55 mph from 70 and patted your knee.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 2, 2025

She patted his back until he let go.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

“Older, but no wiser,” Graham said, patting the Ukrainian president on the shoulder.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The two leaders shook hands warmly, Trump patting Xi's hand, and exchanged a few words on the red carpet before the cameras.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

"She's an amazing person and an amazing fighter, and she announced a minor difficulty which will be in good shape," Trumps said, patting her on the shoulder.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

To them, he is something to gawk at while patting themselves on the back for “accepting” him.

From Salon ● Nov. 26, 2025

Mama said the words with a strange sadness before patting Diko again.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray