pat

1 of 6

noun

ˈpat How to pronounce pat (audio)
Synonyms of patnext
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

Verb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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
Ann, though this was only her second day at the club, had that mode down pat. — Rax King, People.com, 29 July 2025 Enough with the pats on the back for representation, though. — Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 16 July 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
When cool, rinse each ear under cold water, pat dry with paper towels, and use a kitchen torch to burn off any hairs. — Jessica Liang, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025 Whoever had the idea to pair Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson must be patting themself on the back right now. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The story was too pat, too earnest, too self-flattering. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2025 Twain has long been accused of giving Huck Finn an overly pat, comic ending. — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 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

Phrases Containing pat

Rhymes for pat

See All Rhymes for pat

Browse Nearby Words

PA system
pat
PAT
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pat. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

pat

1 of 3 noun
ˈpat How to pronounce pat (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pat

Nglish: Translation of pat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pat

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