pat
pat — verb
- patpresent simple I / you / we / they
- patshe / she / it
- pattedpast simple
- patting-ing form
1. to touch a person or animal with an open hand in a soft repeated way, often to c
to touch a person or animal with an open hand in a soft repeated way, often to comfort, praise, or show affection
Mina patted the crying child on the back after the loud noise.
pat + person + on + body part
At the clinic, Dr. Huang patted the dog before giving the shot.
pat + animal object
The coach patted Leo's shoulder when he finished the race.
Grandma sat beside me and patted my hand during the storm.
- pat gently
- pat softly
- pat on the back
- pat on the head
- pat a dog
Grammar Patterns
pat + person/animal
pat + person + on + body part
pat + body part
Usage Note
Often used for a friendly or calming touch on the back, shoulder, head, or hand. Distinguish from hitting: a pat is soft and usually shows care rather than force.
Common Mistakes
to praise someone or yourself for something that was done well
After winning the science prize, Yuna patted herself on the back all week.
When the team fixed the leak, the manager patted them on the back.
pat — noun
- patsingular
- patsplural
1. a gentle touch with the hand, usually given to show care, praise, or encourageme
a gentle touch with the hand, usually given to show care, praise, or encouragement
After the song, the teacher gave Nori a pat on the arm.
give + someone + a pat
One pat on the horse's neck was enough to calm it.
a pat on + body part
After falling off his bike, Ben ran over for a pat from his father.
With a quick pat on the back, Aunt Rosa sent us outside.
- a pat on the back
- a pat on the head
- give a pat
- quick pat
- slap
stronger and often unfriendly
Grammar Patterns
a pat on + body part
give + someone + a pat
Usage Note
Most often appears in the pattern 'a pat on the back/head/arm'. It usually refers to one small movement, while the verb can describe repeated touching.
2. a small flat serving of a soft food, especially butter
a small flat serving of a soft food, especially butter
The waiter set a warm roll and a pat of butter beside it.
a pat of butter
Each picnic plate had cheese, fruit, and one pat of butter.
Grandpa melted a pat of butter over the hot corn.
The cook cut tiny pats of butter for the tea table.
plural: pats of butter
- a pat of butter
- small pat
- melt a pat
- pats of butter
Grammar Patterns
a pat of butter
pats of butter
Usage Note
This sense is mainly used with butter and other soft foods served in little flat pieces. It is much narrower than sense 1.
3. a soft repeated sound made by light tapping
a soft repeated sound made by light tapping
We heard the pat of rain on the tent before sunrise.
the pat of + sound source
From the hallway came the pat of small feet on wood.
In the dark kitchen, only the pat of rain on the sink broke the silence.
At midnight, the cat woke at the pat of twigs on the window.
- the pat of rain
- the pat of feet
- soft pat
- bang
much louder and heavier
Grammar Patterns
the pat of + noun
Usage Note
This is a literary or descriptive use for a gentle rhythmic sound. It is less common than the touch sense in sense 1.
pat — adjective
- patpositive
- pattercomparative
- pattestsuperlative
1. used for an answer or remark that sounds ready-made because it seems prepared in
used for an answer or remark that sounds ready-made because it seems prepared in advance, not genuinely thought through at the time
The mayor gave a pat answer when reporters asked about the missing funds.
pat + answer
Her pat reply made the parents think nobody had listened carefully.
pat + reply
The company sent a pat statement instead of explaining the sudden price rise.
The teacher's pat remark upset Ken after his team lost again.
- pat answer
- pat reply
- pat remark
- pat excuse
- pat statement
- thoughtful
shows real attention and reflection
- spontaneous
not prepared in advance
Grammar Patterns
pat answer
pat reply
pat remark
Usage Note
Usually modifies words like 'answer', 'reply', 'remark', 'statement', or 'excuse'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense criticises a response for sounding automatic, not for fitting well.
Common Mistakes
2. exactly right for the occasion or purpose
exactly right for the occasion or purpose
Mika's short comment was pat, and everyone laughed immediately.
be + pat
The final line was so pat that the audience clapped at once.
The nickname seemed pat for a boy who climbed every tree.
seem + pat
After the long debate, Lena's final comment seemed pat.
- pat comment
- pat ending
- pat choice
- apt
the closest everyday equivalent
- fitting
commoner word for being suitable
- appropriate
broader and less literary
- unsuitable
not right for the situation
Grammar Patterns
be pat
seem pat
Usage Note
This sense is rare in modern English and often appears after 'be' or 'seem'. Distinguish from sense 1: here 'pat' means well suited, not overly prepared.
pat — adverb
1. in a way that is exact or complete, with nothing left to add
in a way that is exact or complete, with nothing left to add
The ending matched the story pat, with every loose thread tied.
match + pat
Her final sentence answered the question pat, leaving no room for debate.
answer + pat
The new handle fit the old door pat after one turn.
In the opera review, one critic praised words that fit the melody pat.
fit + pat
- fit pat
- answer pat
- match pat
- poorly
not in a suitable or exact way
Grammar Patterns
fit + pat
answer + pat
match + pat
Usage Note
This adverb is rare and literary. It usually comes after verbs such as 'fit', 'match', or 'answer'.
pat — abbreviation
1. the written short form of patent, used in labels, files, and technical reference
the written short form of patent, used in labels, files, and technical references
The folder marked 'pat.' held copies of last year's design claims.
written abbreviation in labels
On the form, 'pat. no.' appeared above the blank box.
pat. no. for patent number
The museum card listed the maker, date, and pat. number.
On the old machine label, check whether 'pat.' means patent or Pat.
- pat. no.
- pat. number
- pat. application
Grammar Patterns
pat. no.
pat. number
Usage Note
Used in writing, not in normal speech. It most often appears before 'no.' or 'number' in technical or legal material.
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Pat usually means touching with an open hand in a short, gentle way, often to comfort or praise someone. Stroke is slower and longer, moving along a surface, so you stroke a cat's fur or a child's hair. Tap is quicker and more neutral, often used to get attention rather than show affection. Pet is most natural for animals and can include both patting and stroking. Dab is a tiny light touch, often with cloth, paint, or cream, not a warm hand movement. You pat a crying child on the back, stroke a rabbit's ears, tap a classmate on the arm, and pet a friendly dog in the park.
Etymology
The core verb and noun probably go back to Middle English patte, likely a word formed to copy the sound of a light tap. Later figurative uses kept the idea of something brief, neat, or exactly fitting.