pate
noun
the crown or top of the head.
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pate
1 American
[peyt]
/ peɪt /
noun
-
the crown or top of the head.
-
the head.
-
the brain.
pâté
2
American
[pah-tey, pa‑, pah-tey, pa‑]
/ pɑˈteɪ, pæ‑, pɑˈteɪ, pæ‑ /
noun
plural
pâtés-
French Cooking. a paste or spread made of puréed or finely chopped liver, meat, fish, game, etc., served as an hors d'oeuvre.
pâte
3
American
[paht]
/ pɑt /
noun
pâté
1
British
/ pɑte, ˈpæteɪ /
noun
-
a spread of very finely minced liver, poultry, etc, served usually as an hors d'oeuvre
-
a savoury pie of meat or fish
pate
2
British
/ peɪt /
noun
Etymology
Origin of pate1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, of uncertain origin
Origin of pâté2
From French, dating back to 1695–1705; see origin at paste, -ee
Origin of pâte3
First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “dough, batter, paste”; see origin at paste
Compare meaning
How does pate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Your pate is the top of your head. But say the word with a French accent, and voila! Now it’s a savory spread made of ground meat and spices. Pâté (the food!) is sometimes served with bread or crackers. Although it’s like paste, some pates are considered a delicacy, like pâté de foie gras, the rich French dish made from goose liver, while other pates are made of different types of meat or even vegetarian ingredients. The pate you eat is usually spelled with its French accents — pâté — so you know to pronounce it with the emphasis on the final syllable, tay. A plain old pate is a jokey word for the top of the head that rhymes with fate.
Vocabulary lists containing pate
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 4
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"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 3
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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.
Shekoh Confections – Master Chocolatier Shekoh Moossavi creates hand-painted bonbons, sea-salt caramels and pate de fruits inspired by Persian heritage and French technique.
From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025
With his bald pate, dark-framed glasses and knowing demeanor, he has become one of the foremost chroniclers of the world’s media barons and Manhattan potentates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 15, 2025
Hey, maybe the president will fall in love with the city over the next three years — and maybe Miller’s bald pate will grow hair worthy of Samson.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025
The bread was thin and appropriately crumbly, the pate a nice thick schmear and the jalapeño provided quite a kick.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024
“And we have olives, cheese, pate, tomatoes and ham. And naturally, wine. Vive l’Angleterre.”
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
