verb
Common
pat
pat
Pat (verb) means to tap gently with the flat of the hand. Example: “He patted his pockets to check that he still had his keys.”
verb
1
To tap gently with the flat of the hand.
"He patted his pockets to check that he still had his keys."
"She patted the dog on the head."
"He patted his friend on the back for a job well done."
noun
1
A gentle tap or light slap with the hand.
"The teacher gave the nervous boy a quick pat on the arm."
"Give the horse a pat before you leave the stable."
"She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder."
2
A small, flattened lump of a soft substance, especially butter.
"A pat of butter melted slowly on top of the warm toast."
"She placed a neat pat of butter beside each bread roll."
"Add a pat of butter to the hot pan."
adj
1
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."
"She gave a pat answer, as if she had rehearsed it in advance."
"His explanation seemed a bit too pat to be entirely honest."
How to use pat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually 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.
Common pairings
a pat on the back
a pat of butter
stand pat
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Word forms
- Plural
- pats
- Third person singular
- pats
- Past tense
- patted
- Comparative
- more pat
- Superlative
- most pat
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher gave the nervous boy a quick _____ on the arm.
Etymology
From Middle English pat, "a blow or stroke," related to Old English plætt, "a sounding smack."
Related words
Rhymes for pat
See all rhymes for 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.
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