pat

adjective

UK /pæt/

1
pat answers or explanations sound as though they have been used many times before and are not sincere
His words sounded a little too pat.
He gave her his usual pat excuses.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe people or behaviour that is not sincere
insincere
forced
sugary

pat

adjective

US /pæt/

1
pat answers or explanations sound as though they have been used many times before and are not sincere
His words sounded a little too pat.
He gave her his usual pat excuses.
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe people or behavior that is not sincere
insincere
forced
sugary

pat

adverb

UK /pæt/

pat

adverb

US /pæt/

pat

noun countable

UK /pæt/

Word Forms

singular	pat
plural	pats

1
the action of gently touching someone or something several times with a flat hand
Nina gave the dog a friendly pat on the head.
Synonyms and related words
Instances of touching, holding and physical contact
touch
contact
hold
Synonyms and related words
Expressing affection physically
kiss
hug
pat
2
a small flat piece of butter
Synonyms and related words
Amounts and pieces of food
a stick of butter/margarine
batch
bed

phrases

a pat on the back

pat

noun countable

US /pæt/

Word Forms

singular	pat
plural	pats

1
the action of gently touching someone or something several times with a flat hand
Nina gave the dog a friendly pat on the head.
Synonyms and related words
Instances of touching, holding and physical contact
touch
contact
hold
Synonyms and related words
Expressing affection physically
mwah
kiss
hug
2
a small flat piece of butter
Synonyms and related words
Amounts and pieces of food
a stick of butter/margarine
batch
bed

phrases

a pat on the back

pat

verb transitive

UK /pæt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pat
he/she/it	pats
present participle	patting
past tense	patted
past participle	patted

1
to touch someone gently several times with a flat hand to show that you care about them or want to make them feel better
Stella patted his knee reassuringly.
He patted the girl on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
Synonyms and related words
Expressing affection physically
kiss
hug
pat
1. 1a
  if you pat your hair or skin you touch it gently to make it smooth, tidy, or dry
  He patted his already immaculate hair.
  After washing, pat your face dry with a soft towel.
  Synonyms and related words
  Caring for the skin and applying make-up
  chemical peel
  cleanse
  cotton bud
2. 1b
  to touch something gently with a flat hand to draw attention to it, or to check that something is where you placed it
  ‘I’m hungry,’ he said, patting his stomach.
  ‘Come and sit here,’ she said, patting the seat beside her.
  He patted his trouser pocket to see if his keys were there.
  Synonyms and related words
  To touch, or to pick up someone or something
  touch
  pick up
  handle
3. 1c
  if you pat an animal such as a dog or a horse, you touch it gently several times with a flat hand in a friendly way
  Synonyms and related words
  Instances of touching, holding and physical contact
  touch
  contact
  hold
  Synonyms and related words
  Expressing affection physically
  kiss
  hug
  pat

phrases

pat someone on the back

phrasal verbs

pat down

pat

verb transitive

US /pæt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pat
he/she/it	pats
present participle	patting
past tense	patted
past participle	patted

1
to touch someone gently several times with a flat hand to show that you care about them or want to make them feel better
Stella patted his knee reassuringly.
He patted the girl on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
Synonyms and related words
Expressing affection physically
mwah
kiss
hug
1. 1a
  if you pat your hair or skin you touch it gently to make it smooth, neat, or dry
  He patted his already immaculate hair.
  After washing, pat your face dry with a soft towel.
  Synonyms and related words
  Caring for the skin and applying make-up
  cleanse
  cotton
  cotton bud
2. 1b
  to touch something gently with a flat hand to draw attention to it, or to check that something is where you placed it
  “I’m hungry,” he said, patting his stomach.
  “Come and sit here,” she said, patting the seat beside her.
  He patted his pants pocket to see if his keys were there.
  Synonyms and related words
  To touch, or to pick up someone or something
  touch
  pick up
  handle
3. 1c
  if you pat an animal such as a dog or a horse, you touch it gently several times with a flat hand in a friendly way
  Synonyms and related words
  Instances of touching, holding and physical contact
  touch
  contact
  hold
  Synonyms and related words
  Expressing affection physically
  mwah
  kiss
  hug

phrases

pat someone on the back

phrasal verbs

pat down

pat

pat

pat

have something off pat

pat

have something down pat

pat

pat

pat

pat

pat

pat

pat

have something off pat

pat

have something down pat

pat

pat

pat ​‌

pat ​‌

pat

pat