pat

1 of 6

noun

1
: a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2
: a light tapping often rhythmical sound
3
: something (such as butter) shaped into a small flat usually square individual portion

pat

2 of 6

adverb

: in a pat manner : aptly, perfectly
has her part down pat

pat

3 of 6

verb

patted; patting

transitive verb

1
: to strike lightly with a flat instrument
2
: to flatten, smooth, or put into place or shape with light blows
3
: to tap or stroke gently with the hand to soothe, caress, or show approval

intransitive verb

: to strike or beat gently

pat

4 of 6

adjective

1
a
: exactly suited to the purpose or occasion : apt
b
: suspiciously appropriate : contrived
a pat ending
2
: learned, mastered, or memorized exactly
3
4
: reduced to a simple or mechanical form : standard, trite
pat answers

pat

5 of 6

abbreviation (1)

patent

PAT

6 of 6

abbreviation (2)

point after touchdown
Phrases
pat on the back
: an expression of approval

Examples of pat in a Sentence

Noun She gave the dog a quick pat. Adverb after months of practicing for the competition, the cheerleaders have their moves down pat Verb The child gently patted the dog's head. He patted my knee and told me everything would be fine. He patted his hair down. She patted the dough into a square. He patted the lettuce dry with a paper towel. Adjective The movie's pat ending was a disappointment. His explanation was too pat to be believable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Place shrimp in a medium bowl and pat dry. Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 GiveToby the sleepy Golden Retriever at Green Mountain Orchards a pat on the head before picking apples and snagging yourself an apple cider donut (a reward for all of your hard work, of course). Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The 2016 draft was the last time the Bengals stayed pat through all seven rounds. Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020 To use, soak the disc about 15 minutes, pat dry, and snap in place. Jean Kressy, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2019
Verb
Quaid was seen patting his former costars’ shoulders and giving them words of encouragement before the performance. Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025 Instead, Mahomes patted Branch on the shoulder pad. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Online antique shop owner and past ex-pat, Emily Mabe of Willow and Pearls in Spanish Fort, Alabama, says hunting for copper in France was among her favorite things to find. Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025 This run-in all seems too pat, too staged, too likely. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English patte, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1578, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1631, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pat was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pat. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pat

1 of 3 noun
1
: a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2
: a light tapping sound
3
: something (as butter) shaped into a small flat portion

pat

2 of 3 verb
patted; patting
1
: to strike lightly with the hand or a flat instrument : strike or beat gently
2
: to flatten, smooth, or shape with pats
3
: to tap or stroke gently with the hand to soothe or to show affection or approval

pat

3 of 3 adjective
patter; pattest
1
: exactly suited : apt, timely
a pat answer
2
: learned exactly
have a lesson down pat
3

Medical Definition

PAT

abbreviation
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

More from Merriam-Webster on pat

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