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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

The FOMC’s decisions to stand pat at Mr. Warsh’s first two meetings as its leader became supposed evidence that Fed credibility was in doubt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

At a recent call Swonk held with primarily industry economists, concerns were expressed that if energy inflation accelerates again, companies that have largely stood pat would likely soon need to start raising prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Rhoa gave a head pat and some words of encouragement and ran back to the line for the next play.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

A smaller 40% think they will stand pat, according to CME FedWatch.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

Dad hugs me, giving me a hard pat on the back.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Inducting Journey into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, Train’s Pat Monahan belted the na-na-na outro of the band’s first Top 40 hit as he made his case for the group’s excellence.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

"It's a waste of money," said Pat Osiecki, a 65-year-old retired contractor.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

Also assisting Pat are her eccentric neighbor, Prichard Knowles, and her daughter, Sofia, who contributes tough-love tips on how her mother might improve her own insensitive behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

In a final confrontation, the 62-year-old Pat takes a stand for decency and her own generation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

I should say this, that Pat doesn’t have a mink coat.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

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

He blocked a field goal on the last play of the two-point win over Denver, blocked a field goal against Houston in the playoffs, and blocked a PAT in the Super Bowl last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2025

Proceedings opened with procession of Delegates presenting addresses to Mr. G. Excellently arranged; reflects great credit on PAT CAMPBELL.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, November 1, 1890 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 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 Franklin Beech

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

You know how we adults are inclined to respond to such unbridled optimism: With patronizing pats on the head.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2026

On the east coast ex pats will come out in numbers if it's New York, Boston and Toronto.

From BBC ● Dec. 4, 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

“You should roll with us. We’re going to play a show. Natives from all over will be there, according to this guy,” Awesiinh says as he pats my shoulder.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cox should have been caught on 57 when he patted back to Shahzad.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 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

The monarch was also photographed laughing in the Oval Office when Trump reached out and patted his knee.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

And a year ago, after an address to a joint session of Congress, Trump shook Roberts’s hand, patted him on the shoulder and thanked him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026

“I do,” she said, and she tenderly patted my hand.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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

“It’s OK, my love,” Fajardo said, patting his head.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 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

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

“I’ll bring that astringent as soon as it’s ready,” Anya said, patting Sasha on the shoulder.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack