pat
1to 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.
to strike lightly or gently.
to walk or run with light footsteps.
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.
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
1Other words for pat
Other words from pat
- un·pat·ted, adjective
Other definitions for pat (2 of 5)
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.
exactly or perfectly.
aptly; opportunely.
Origin of pat
2Other words from pat
- patness, noun
- patter, noun
Other definitions for Pat (3 of 5)
Other definitions for PAT (4 of 5)
Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.
Other definitions for pat. (5 of 5)
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.
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.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousI'm somewhat puzzled to know why they didn't stand pat and make a clean job of us both.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairHenry 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. BallantyneThe 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)
/ (pæt) /
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
pat someone on the back informal to congratulate or encourage someone
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
pat on the back informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
Origin of pat
1British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 4)
/ (pæt) /
Also: off pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered: he 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
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
Origin of pat
2British Dictionary definitions for pat (3 of 4)
/ (pæt) /
on one's pat Australian informal alone; on one's own
Origin of pat
3British Dictionary definitions for Pat (4 of 4)
/ (pæt) /
an informal name for an Irishman
Origin of Pat
4Collins 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
In addition to the idiom beginning with pat
- pat on the back
also see:
- stand pat
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse