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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

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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”

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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

While it is expected to stand pat after last month's hike, its post-meeting statement and comments from boss Kevin Warsh will be pored over for clues about its future plans.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

Treasurys were little moved as investors continue to price a high probability of the Federal Reserve standing pat on rates next week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

The decision to stand pat was a surprise, as only one of 11 economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the central bank to hold its settings steady.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

And when we really get those down pat, I think we’re going to be a very, very good team.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

He continues to pat my uninjured knee as I sniffle and shake my head.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

It also took away Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy’s favorite motivational tactic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

We support Pat and recognize the very real and valid concerns he has around safety and security.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

But all-rounder Wiaan Mulder also played a crucial hand, bowling with accuracy and finding movement off the pitch to dismiss Head, Boland and Australia captain Pat Cummins.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

"I don't think Celtic are good enough, individually and collectively, to take on a team that's eighth in La Liga," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on Sportsound.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

I’m thirteen now so I don’t call him Uncle Pat anymore.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Southwest College, San Pedro had just scored a touchdown and PAT to go up 21-6 on King/Drew when there was a loud sound heard around the stadium.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

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

Allow choreographed touchdown/turnover celebrations, speed up pace of play, move back PAT kicks…

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025

"Get ye away now," PAT whispered in ear of the man from Possilpark, &c.

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

Cold Rolled—Shafting, piston rods, pump rods, Collins pat. double compression couplings, manufactured by Jones & Laughlins, Pittsburgh, Pa. For solid wrought-iron beams, etc., see advertisement.

From Scientific American, Volume 22, No. 1, January 1, 1870 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

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

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

Kennedy pats him quickly on the back, then turns to the camera.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

Baker smiled widely, nodded his head, greeted Ortiz in Spanish, chuckled and walked over to Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero, giving each of them hugs and pats on the back.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 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

She pats the sofa next to her like I should sit there, but I don’t.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

He then patted her hand, mumbling, “Good job.”

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 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

Earlier, Yeo told Singapore news outlet Channel News Asia that he had patted the little girl's head because she "was very adorable".

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

The president patted one student on the arm and asked if he was a "strong person," to which the boy replied "yes, sir."

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

“Now, now. A little mayhem never hurt anyone,” Alexander said, and patted his sister on the shoulder.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

“At this stage,” he says, patting his Wild Horse Nine notebook, “you’re listening to two guys talking and trying to keep up.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Unusually for Vance on the campaign trail, he then went down to greet the crowd in person -- shaking hands, patting arms and meeting the lady with the black pro-Vance hat.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2026

They engulfed her in a sea of white, screaming, yelling and patting her head.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026

"She's an amazing person and an amazing fighter, and she announced a minor difficulty which will be in good shape," Trumps said, patting her on the shoulder.

From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026

“Just do your best,” said Roz, patting him on the back.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

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