pat

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

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verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

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), pat·ted, pat·ting.

to strike lightly or gently.

to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

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

the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.

OTHER WORDS FOR pat

8 square, cake, dab.

See synonyms for pat on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about pat

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.

Origin of pat

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

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

un·pat·ted, adjective

Words nearby pat

pasture, pasture rose, pasty, pasty-faced, PA system, pat, pataca, pat-a-cake, patagium, Patagonia, Patagonian

Other definitions for pat (2 of 5)

pat²

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

adjective

exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune: a pat solution to a problem.

excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.

learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.

adverb

exactly or perfectly.

aptly; opportunely.

Origin of pat

First recorded in 1570–80; originally adverbial use of pat¹, as obsolete to hit pat “to strike accurately”

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

patness, nounpatter, noun

Other definitions for pat (3 of 5)

Pat

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

noun

a male given name, form of Patrick.

a female given name, form of Patricia.

Other definitions for pat (4 of 5)

PAT

Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.

Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

Other definitions for pat (5 of 5)

pat.

abbreviation

patent.

patented.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pat in a sentence

Pat Robertson finished second in the 1988 Iowa caucus, and it was all downhill from there.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?|Lloyd Green|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Pat Robertson wants to talk about the extinction of the gays.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Divide the dough in half and very gently pat each half into a round 1-inch-thick disk.
Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie|Carla Hall|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, place on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Make These Barefoot Contessa Chicken Pot Pies|Ina Garten|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In Illinois, embattled Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn lost his bid for re-election against Bruce Rauner.
GOP Shocks Democrats in Governor Races|Ben Jacobs|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pat Malone, you are fined five dollars for assault and battery on Mike Sweeney.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
I'm somewhat puzzled to know why they didn't stand pat and make a clean job of us both.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Henry gave his younger sister a gentle pat, as she returned with her workbag and fished for the chalk.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
“He was worth saving,” remarked Stanley, stooping to pat the meek head of the dog.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
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.
Seven O'Clock Stories|Robert Gordon Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for pat (1 of 4)

pat¹

/ (pæt) /

verb pats, patting or patted

to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surfaceto 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

pat someone on the back informal to congratulate or encourage someone

noun

a light blow with something flat

a gentle slap

a small mass of somethinga pat of butter

the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps

pat on the back informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

Word Origin for pat

C14: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 4)

pat²

/ (pæt) /

adverb

Also: off pat exactly or fluently memorized or masteredhe recited it pat

opportunely or aptly

stand pat

mainly US and Canadian 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; apta pat reply

too exactly fitting; gliba pat answer to a difficult problem

exactly righta pat hand in poker

Word Origin for pat

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

British Dictionary definitions for pat (3 of 4)

pat³

/ (pæt) /

noun

on one's pat Australian informal alone; on one's own

Word Origin for pat

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

British Dictionary definitions for pat (4 of 4)

Pat

/ (pæt) /

noun

an informal name for an Irishman

Word Origin for Pat

from Patrick

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with pat

pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat

pat on the back

also see:

stand pat

pat

OTHER WORDS FOR pat

Idioms about pat

Origin of pat

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

Words nearby pat

Other definitions for pat (2 of 5)

Origin of pat

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

Other definitions for pat (3 of 5)

Other definitions for pat (4 of 5)

Other definitions for pat (5 of 5)

Words related to pat

How to use pat in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pat (1 of 4)

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 4)

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (3 of 4)

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (4 of 4)

Word Origin for Pat

Other Idioms and Phrases with pat