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View synonyms for pat

pat

1

[ pat ]

verb (used with object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.
  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.


verb (used without object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.
  1. to strike lightly or gently.
  2. to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

  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

pat

2

[ pat ]

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.

adverb

  1. exactly or perfectly.
  2. aptly; opportunely.

Pat

3

[ pat ]

noun

  1. a male given name, form of Patrick.
  2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

PAT

4
  1. Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
  2. Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

pat.

5

abbreviation for

  1. patent.
  2. patented.

pat

1

/ 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. pat someone on the back informal.
    to congratulate or encourage someone
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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. pat on the back informal.
    a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Pat

2

/ pæt /

noun

  1. an informal name for an Irishman
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pat

3

/ pæt /

noun

  1. on one's pat informal.
    alone; on one's own
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pat

4

/ pæt /

adverb

  1. Alsooff pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered

    he recited it pat

  2. opportunely or aptly
  3. stand pat
    1. to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
    2. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • un·patted adjective
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Word History and Origins

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”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pat1

C14: perhaps imitative

Origin of pat2

from Patrick

Origin of pat3

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

Origin of pat4

C17: perhaps adverbial use (``with a light stroke'') of pat 1
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Idioms and Phrases

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

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

  3. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
  4. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage:

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

  5. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat , also see stand pat .
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Example Sentences

Pat Robertson finished second in the 1988 Iowa caucus, and it was all downhill from there.

Pat Robertson wants to talk about the extinction of the gays.

Divide the dough in half and very gently pat each half into a round 1-inch-thick disk.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, place on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In Illinois, embattled Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn lost his bid for re-election against Bruce Rauner.

Pat Malone, you are fined five dollars for assault and battery on Mike Sweeney.

I'm somewhat puzzled to know why they didn't stand pat and make a clean job of us both.

Henry gave his younger sister a gentle pat, as she returned with her workbag and fished for the chalk.

“He was worth saving,” remarked Stanley, stooping to pat the meek head of the dog.

The branches seem to pat the house lovingly and to protect the children when the sun is too hot or the rain comes down too fast.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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