pat

¹

[ pat ]

verb (used with object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.

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.

verb (used without object)

, pat·ted, pat·ting.

1. to strike lightly or gently.
2. to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

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

pat

²

[ pat ]

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.

adverb

1. exactly or perfectly.
2. aptly; opportunely.

Pat

³

[ pat ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Patrick.
2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

PAT

⁴

1. Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
2. Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

pat.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. patent.
2. patented.

pat

¹

/ 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. pat someone on the back informal.
   to congratulate or encourage someone

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. pat on the back informal.
   a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

Pat

²

/ pæt /

noun

1. an informal name for an Irishman

pat

³

/ pæt /

noun

1. on one's pat informal.
   alone; on one's own

pat

⁴

/ pæt /

adverb

1. Alsooff pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered

   he recited it pat

2. opportunely or aptly
3. stand pat
   1. to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
   2. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt

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

Other Words From

• un·patted adjective

Word History and Origins

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pat¹

C14: perhaps imitative

Origin of pat²

from Patrick

Origin of pat³

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

Origin of pat⁴

C17: perhaps adverbial use (``with a light stroke'') of pat ¹

Idioms and Phrases

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. down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold.

   If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.

3. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
4. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage:

   The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

5. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat , also see stand pat .

Example Sentences

“I don’t think Hegseth is a serious person or a serious pick,” Rep. Pat Ryan, a New York Democrat and an Army veteran, told MSNBC.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s become more of a “team player,” putting herself fully behind the centrist presidential ticket, campaigning with swing-district Democrats with off-the-scale Blue Dog names like Pat Ryan.

From Slate

Roy Haynes, a jazz drummer and band leader whose skill and versatility led to performances with such diverse artists as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny over the course of his seven-decade career, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

Manchester councillor Pat Karney, who was at the site, posted on X to say there had been "unbelievable damage" to the front of the bus.

From BBC

Years later, Pat Keenan from Irvinestown discovered his bracelet at the crash site.

From BBC