First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pat
noun \ˈpat\
: an act of lightly touching someone or something with your hand to show affection or approval
: a small, flat, usually square piece of something (such as butter)
Full Definition of PAT
1
: a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2
: a light tapping often rhythmical sound
3
: something (as butter) shaped into a small flat usually square individual portion
— pat on the back
: an expression of approval
See pat defined for English-language learners
See pat defined for kids
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Origin of PAT
Middle English patte, probably of imitative origin
2pat
adverb
: learned completely or perfectly
Full Definition of PAT
See pat defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PAT
1578
Related to PAT
- Synonyms
- faultlessly, flawlessly, ideally, immaculately, impeccably, perfectly
- Antonyms
- amiss, badly, defectively, faultily, imperfectly
3pat
verb
: to lightly touch (someone or something) with your hand usually several times in order to show affection or approval or to provide comfort
: to flatten, smooth, or shape (something) by lightly pressing on it with your hand
: to lightly press (something) several times until it is dry
pat·tedpat·ting
Full Definition of PAT
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
See pat defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PAT
1591
4pat
adjective
: said or done without any real thought or effort to be truthful or original
Full Definition of PAT
1
2
: learned, mastered, or memorized exactly
3
: firm, unyielding
See pat defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PAT
1646
Related to PAT
- Synonyms
- adamant, adamantine, bullheaded, dogged, hard, hardened, hardheaded, hard-nosed, headstrong, immovable, implacable, inconvincible, inflexible, intransigent, mulish, obdurate, opinionated, ossified, obstinate, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, self-opinionated, self-willed, stiff-necked, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful)
5pat
abbreviation
Definition of PAT
patent
PAT
abbreviation
Definition of PAT
point after touchdown
PAT ON THE BACK Defined for Kids
1pat
verb \ˈpat\
pat·tedpat·ting
Definition of PAT for Kids
: to tap or stroke gently with the open hand <He stopped to pat the dog.>
2pat
noun
Definition of PAT for Kids
1
: a light tap with the open hand or a flat instrument <She gave me a pat on the head.>
2
: the sound of a pat or tap
3
: a small flat piece (as of butter)
3pat
adjective
pat·terpat·test
Definition of PAT for Kids
1
: learned perfectly <I had my lines in the play down pat.>
2
: exactly suitable <a pat answer>
3
: not changing <He stood pat against all arguments.>
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