Advertisement

View synonyms for pat

pat

1

[ pat ]

verb (used with object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.
  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.


verb (used without object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.
  1. to strike lightly or gently.
  2. to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

  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

pat

2

[ pat ]

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.

adverb

  1. exactly or perfectly.
  2. aptly; opportunely.

Pat

3

[ pat ]

noun

  1. a male given name, form of Patrick.
  2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

PAT

4
  1. Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
  2. Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

pat.

5

abbreviation for

  1. patent.
  2. patented.

pat

1

/ 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. pat someone on the back informal.
    to congratulate or encourage someone
“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

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

Pat

2

/ pæt /

noun

  1. an informal name for an Irishman
“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

pat

3

/ pæt /

noun

  1. on one's pat informal.
    alone; on one's own
“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

pat

4

/ pæt /

adverb

  1. Alsooff pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered

    he recited it pat

  2. opportunely or aptly
  3. stand pat
    1. to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
    2. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
“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

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

“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
Discover More

Other Words From

  • un·patted adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

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”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pat1

C14: perhaps imitative

Origin of pat2

from Patrick

Origin of pat3

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

Origin of pat4

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

Idioms and Phrases

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. down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold.

    If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.

  3. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
  4. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage:

    The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

  5. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat , also see stand pat .
Discover More

Example Sentences

Century missed, Bethell received a rousing ovation from the crowd and a consoling pat on the back from Duckett, who fell short of his own ton by playing on off Southee.

From BBC

Even as USC fans call for a new quarterback, the shrewd move for Riley may be standing pat with the one he’s got while developing the freshman behind him.

If Midgley is right, then Sir Jacob could be patting himself on the back as his "calculated risk" pays off.

From BBC

Gardner, who personally greeted each of his players as they warmed up before the game, did the same afterward with a hug or a pat on the back.

Even Brook gave him a consoling pat on the way off.

From BBC

Advertisement

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement