pat

1 of 6

noun

ˈpat 

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

: firm, unyielding

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

Synonyms

Adverb

• perfectly
• immaculately
• finely
• to a nicety
• to a turn

Verb

• caress
• stroke
• hug

Adjective

• stubborn
• adamant
• steadfast

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

Noun

Discard after use, and pat any remaining serum into the skin. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025

Moose reportedly got pats from everyone on the scene before being returned to his owners. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 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

That’s cute, today’s masters of the universe will chuckle while patting your head. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025

In the video, officers are seen repeatedly patting the baby's back until Makai -- who was wearing pajamas adorned with police cars -- was able to breathe on his own. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 22 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

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

Phrases Containing pat

• a pat on the back
• go pit-a-pat
• pat-a-cake
• pat down
• pit-a-pat
• stand pat

Rhymes for pat

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• chat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• gnat
• hat
• kat

Kids Definition

pat

1 of 3 noun

ˈpat 

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

: firm entry 1 sense 2b, unyielding

stand pat

Medical Definition

PAT

abbreviation

paroxysmal atrial tachycardia