pad

24 synonyms for pad, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

cushion bolster

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

wad compress notepad jotter inflate launchpad inkpad domiciliation lodgings digs diggings lard slog plod aggrandise dramatise aggrandize dramatize embellish tramp embroider footslog

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection.

“The nurse placed a clean gauze pad over the cut and taped it down.”

cushion wad compress notepad jotter inflate launchpad inkpad domiciliation lodgings digs diggings

2. verb

To walk with soft, quiet steps.

“I padded down the hallway in my socks so I wouldn't wake anyone.”

lard slog plod aggrandise dramatise aggrandize bolster dramatize embellish tramp embroider footslog

How to use pad

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

launch pad notepad pad an expense report pad softly

Etymology

1554, "bundle of straw to lie on". Unknown, and unclear all senses have common etymology. For sense "ends of a digit", cf. Low German or West Flemish pad (“sole of the foot”), perhaps ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pent- (“to pass”), which would make it related to both path and find.

Full origin of pad →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pad” mean?

The word “pad” means a block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection. In plain terms, a soft cushioning object or a notepad; as a verb, to move quietly or to artificially inflate something.

How do you pronounce “pad”?

“Pad” is pronounced pad (/pæd/ in IPA).

How do you use “pad” in a sentence?

Here is “pad” used in a sentence: “She pressed a cotton pad soaked in cleanser to her face.”

What part of speech is “pad”?

Depending on how it is used, “pad” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “pad” a common word?

“Pad” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “pad” have?

“Pad” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection.

What is the difference between a pad and a notebook?

A pad is a stack of sheets joined at one edge, usually so pages tear off cleanly, which suits quick disposable notes. A notebook is bound with a spiral, stitching, or covers so its pages stay in place, which suits notes you keep. Notepad and writing pad are fuller names for the paper pad.

What is the difference between a pad and a cushion?

Both involve soft material, but a cushion is normally a stuffed fabric case you sit on or lean against, while a pad is a flatter block of soft or absorbent material used for cushioning, cleaning, or protection — knee pads, make-up pads, scouring pads. As verbs they split too: to pad is to add filler, while to cushion is to soften an impact.

People also searched

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Nearby words

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