pat

10 synonyms and 1 antonym for pat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To tap gently with the flat of the hand.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

pet stroke touch

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

tap chuck rap slick

Rare, literary or technical

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

dab caress glib

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To tap gently with the flat of the hand.

“He patted his pockets to check that he still had his keys.”

tap dab pet stroke caress touch chuck

2. noun

A gentle tap or light slap with the hand.

“The teacher gave the nervous boy a quick pat on the arm.”

tap dab rap

3. adj

Exactly right or fitting for the occasion; sometimes suggesting an answer is too neat or rehearsed.

“The film ended with a pat happy ending that felt a little unrealistic.”

glib slick

Opposites

inappropriate

How to use pat

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a pat on the back a pat of butter stand pat

Etymology

From Middle English pat, "a blow or stroke," related to Old English plætt, "a sounding smack."

Full origin of pat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pat” mean?

The word “pat” means to tap gently with the flat of the hand. In plain terms, usually a gentle tap with the hand, or a small lump of something soft like butter; as an adjective, "too pat" means suspiciously neat or convenient.

How do you pronounce “pat”?

“Pat” is pronounced pat (/pæt/ in IPA).

How do you use “pat” in a sentence?

Here is “pat” used in a sentence: “She patted the dog on the head.”

What part of speech is “pat”?

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

Where does the word “pat” come from?

The word “pat” comes from Old English. From Middle English pat, "a blow or stroke," related to Old English plætt, "a sounding smack.".

Is “pat” a common word?

“Pat” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “pat” have?

“Pat” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to tap gently with the flat of the hand.

What is the difference between "pat" and "tap"?

A pat is made with the flat of the hand or the fingers and is usually a gentle, affectionate gesture, as in patting a dog. A tap can be made with a single finger or an object and is more about making brief contact or getting attention. Both involve light, quick touches.

When should you use "pat" instead of "stroke" with an animal?

Use "pat" for a series of gentle, repeated taps with the flat of the hand. Use "stroke" when you move your hand smoothly and continuously along the animal's fur. Patting is a light tapping motion, while stroking is a sliding one.

What is the difference between "pat dry" and "rub dry"?

To "pat dry" is to press gently with a towel using light, repeated taps, which is gentler on skin, food, or delicate surfaces. To "rub dry" means to move the towel back and forth with friction. "Pat dry" is preferred when you want to avoid damage or spreading.

People also searched

touch pet stroke tap chuck rap inappropriate slick dab caress glib

Nearby words

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