noun
pate
payt
Pate (noun) means the top of a person's head, especially when bald. Example: “The sun beat down on his bald pate.”
noun
1
The top of a person's head, especially when bald.
"He had a shiny, bald pate."
"The sun beat down on his bald pate."
"The whole benighted, blooming crew, The Puddin'-thieves, the Usher too, Are being beaten black and blue With bottles on the pate."
— Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding (1918)
How to use pate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned or humorous word for the top of someone's head.
When to use it
Mostly literary or humorous nowadays — rarely used in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- pates
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sun beat down on his bald _____.
Etymology
From Middle English pate, of uncertain origin, possibly linked to a Latin word for a shallow dish or pan.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pate
See all rhymes for pate →Frequently asked questions
What does “pate” mean?
The word “pate” means the top of a person's head, especially when bald. In plain terms, an old-fashioned or humorous word for the top of someone's head.
How do you pronounce “pate”?
“Pate” is pronounced payt (/peɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pate” in a sentence?
Here is “pate” used in a sentence: “The sun beat down on his bald pate.”
What part of speech is “pate”?
“Pate” is a noun.
Where does the word “pate” come from?
The word “pate” comes from Latin. From Middle English pate, of uncertain origin, possibly linked to a Latin word for a shallow dish or pan.
