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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

Bets on a hike have risen over the past week, though analysts expect officials to stand pat on Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

Nine of 10 economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expect the central bank to stand pat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

All nine economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the central bank to stand pat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026

I pat her helmet where her cheek is.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

The case was led by a celebrated detective who had solved the Cannock Chase murders in Staffordshire - one of the biggest manhunts in British criminal history - Det Ch Supt Pat Molloy.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

“L.A. is America’s team,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2026

Pat Healey, CEO of Valhalla’s parent company, Viking Yacht, said it is working on a 65-foot boat—10 feet longer than its current flagship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

It first soured over a decade ago, during the tenure of athletic director Pat Haden.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Holmes also surprised his caretaker, Pat Quinlan, with a gift: two sturdy trunks, each bearing the initials MRW.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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

Oxytocin or PAT alone showed no effect on wound healing, the researchers wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 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

Allow choreographed touchdown/turnover celebrations, speed up pace of play, move back PAT kicks…

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025

It is impossible to say now whether the PAT in question was a Fenian or not.

From Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 13, June 25, 1870 by Various

“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

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

Cold Rolled—Shafting, piston rods, pump rods, Collins pat. double compression couplings, manufactured by Jones & Laughlins, Pittsburgh, Pa. For solid wrought-iron beams, etc., see advertisement.

From Scientific American, Volume 22, No. 1, January 1, 1870 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

“I’ve always believed that anything is possible and there’s no doubt in here,” and she pats her heart, “because I’ve always felt this immense love for me from another entity.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

I’m sweeping up hair when Rock pats the chair where he just finished hooking somebody’s fade.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

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

The dough is left to rise before being divided into balls and patted into shape by hand.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2025

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

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 2, 2025

Then he patted Rustin on the back: “We’re all figuring out this new world.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2025

I put my hand on his shoulder and patted his thin back.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

He deployed a charm offensive throughout his stay here, confident in the impact of his personal touch on world leaders, often seen patting Xi on the back and repeatedly calling him his friend.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 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

Trump spent two hours with Fogel, patting him on the back and touring the Lincoln bedroom as the freed man gushed thanks to “Steve.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025

There, there, baby,” she says, patting Daddy’s massive hand.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone