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
1 American
[pat]
/ pæt /
verb (used with object)
patted,
patting
-
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.
-
to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
-
to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.
verb (used without object)
patted,
patting
-
to strike lightly or gently.
-
to walk or run with light footsteps.
noun
-
pats
plural
idioms
-
a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement.
Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.
-
pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
-
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
adverb
-
exactly or perfectly.
-
aptly; opportunely.
idioms
-
stand pat,
-
to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.
The government must stand pat in its policy.
-
Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.
-
-
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 /
PAT
4
American
-
Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
-
Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.
pat.
5
American
abbreviation
-
patent.
-
patented.
pat
1
British
/ pæt /
verb
-
to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface
to pat a ball
-
to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc
-
(tr) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm
-
(intr) to walk or run with light footsteps
-
informal to congratulate or encourage someone
noun
-
a light blow with something flat
-
a gentle slap
-
a small mass of something
a pat of butter
-
the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps
-
informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
pat
2
British
/ pæt /
adverb
-
Also: off pat. exactly or fluently memorized or mastered
he recited it pat
-
opportunely or aptly
-
-
to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
-
(in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
-
adjective
-
exactly right for the occasion; apt
a pat reply
-
too exactly fitting; glib
a pat answer to a difficult problem
-
exactly right
a pat hand in poker
Pat
3
British
/ pæt /
noun
pat
4
British
/ pæt /
noun
pat
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing pat
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Federal Reserve decided to stand pat this week, keeping its target for the federal-funds interest rate in a range of 3.75% to 4%.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
But Rams coach Sean McVay indicated Wednesday that the injury-ravaged Rams are standing pat — for now.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
While it is expected to stand pat after last month's hike, its post-meeting statement and comments from boss Kevin Warsh will be pored over for clues about its future plans.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Markets price a 78% probability that the Fed will hold rates pat in October and an 88% probability for a December hike, according to LSEG.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
He stooped down and gave the goat a light pat on its head; it was a surprisingly sad gesture.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
The vice-chair of Stormont's education committee, Pat Sheehan, made the claim during a committee hearing on Wednesday.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
"His agent reached out to me to see if I would be willing to help him and give him a second chance," Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam said.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
The current manager, Pat Murphy, had some of Kuenn’s folksy eccentricity, quizzing his young children at press conferences and once touting the midgame deliciousness of a pancake stuffed into his uniform’s back pocket.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
“We see that he’s in his element, man,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
Grandma says to Mam, Your brother Pat, bad leg an’ all, was selling papers all over Limerick by the time he was eight and that Frank of yours is big and ugly enough to work.
From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt
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
A third group got a placebo nose spray with a PAT.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
What a play. @king21_rich takes the int to the house after almost fumbling Orange Lutheran had PAT blocked to keep score at 20-13.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2025
After the miscue, Dicker rebounded by making his next two extra points and adding a 29-yard field goal, along with the 46-yarder he hit before the missed PAT.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2024
PAT late was my patron,—'twas only his fun!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, August 22, 1891 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
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.
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 Franklin Beech
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
Five times over two days, Trump referred to Xi as his friend, taking every public opportunity to offer his compliments and pats on the back.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 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
He pats my back loudly and expels me with a shove and a sniff.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
He then patted her hand, mumbling, “Good job.”
From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026
In the main square, he handed out sweets, patted children on the head and assured them all would be fine.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
The machine patted me on the head by noting that I had avoided words like profound and tapestry and only once indulged in telling all of you “Here’s the thing.”
From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026
As students patted soil and staked trees for support, smoke from the wind-driven Sandy fire threatening Simi Valley billowed in the distance.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
She patted his withers and told him what a good horse he was.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
Far from being a daring allegory, the only risk “Wicker” faces is that of suffering wrist and elbow strain from patting itself on the back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Unusually for Vance on the campaign trail, he then went down to greet the crowd in person -- shaking hands, patting arms and meeting the lady with the black pro-Vance hat.
From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026
A video, external of the incident shows the elderly man patting the child on the head as he walked past her table at a food court in a shopping centre.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
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
“That Silver Leaf Lard’s the best for baking,” she said, patting the number-five tin.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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