verb

pat

verb

To tap gently with the flat of the hand.

"She patted the dog on the head."

"He patted his friend on the back for a job well done."

noun

A gentle tap or light slap with the hand.

"She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder."

A small, flattened lump of a soft substance, especially butter.

"Add a pat of butter to the hot pan."

adj

Exactly right or fitting for the occasion; sometimes suggesting an answer is too neat or rehearsed.

"His explanation seemed a bit too pat to be entirely honest."

How to Use Pat

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

more pat comparative, more pat comparative, more pat comparative, patted past tense, pats plural, Pats plural, Pats plural, Pats plural, pats singular, most pat superlative, most pat superlative, most pat superlative

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She gave him a reassuring _____ on the shoulder.

Etymology

From Middle English pat, "a blow or stroke," related to Old English plætt, "a sounding smack."

Rhymes for pat

spat

See all rhymes for pat →