to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape.
to pat dough into flat pastry forms.
to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.
to strike lightly or gently.
to walk or run with light footsteps.
a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement.
Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.
pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage.
The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.
exactly or perfectly.
aptly; opportunely.
stand pat,
to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.
The government must stand pat in its policy.
Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.
down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold
If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.
Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.
patent.
patented.
to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface
to pat a ball
to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc
(tr) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm
(intr) to walk or run with light footsteps
informal to congratulate or encourage someone
a light blow with something flat
a gentle slap
a small mass of something
a pat of butter
the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps
informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
Also: off pat. exactly or fluently memorized or mastered
he recited it pat
opportunely or aptly
to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
(in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
exactly right for the occasion; apt
a pat reply
too exactly fitting; glib
a pat answer to a difficult problem
exactly right
a pat hand in poker
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pat “blow, stroke,” apparently of expressive origin
First recorded in 1570–80; originally adverbial use of pat 1, as obsolete to hit pat “to strike accurately”
When you pat, you tap lightly with your hand. A sad friend might be comforted by a kind pat on the shoulder. But that sad friend would not be comforted by a pat, insincere, comment. Your grandfather might pat you on the head just like when you were little, even though you're taller than he is now. Dogs like getting a pat on the head, or maybe a pat of butter from the dinner table. When it's an adjective, pat means "way too simple" or "glib," as in "I asked a serious question — please don't give me a pat answer." To "have something down pat" is to know it by heart.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anything less than that, and the Fed is almost certain to stand pat.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
Tamura, a former private bank executive, is considered hawkish and known as a frequent dissenter who has repeatedly proposed rate hikes when the board chose to stand pat, including ahead of the June move.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
She was seen several times with the US president at the summit including a meeting on a sofa after which he appeared to pat her shoulder.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
There’s a difference between films that pat themselves on the back for their didactic lessons and films that use simple moralistic terms to help as many people understand their messaging as quickly as possible.
From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026
Living in hope, we brought a skillet and a pat of lard.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
“Any EA Sports game should have a Pat McAfee song on it,” Ernest said in describing the former West Virginia standout’s musical style.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
"France are the best, most skilful, most dangerous attacking team in the tournament," said former Scotland striker Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
Her whole life, she watched her dad, Pat, give back to the South Bay community he was raised in.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
"Paraguay tried to wind up the France players, little shoves and nudges but not enough to get a yellow card," former Scotland winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
The van was painted with the Vet in a Van logo and beneath it was written: Pat Knapp, DVM.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
In PAT, tissue molecules that absorb light vibrate after being hit by short laser pulses, producing acoustic signals that can be measured and converted into detailed images.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2026
“As polymer prices continue its downtrend, this may cause PAT margins to trend deeper in negative territory,” Yap says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025
One group was given oxytocin nose spray and asked to complete a “partner appreciation task,” or PAT, consisting of a 10-minute mutual-appreciation session.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
After the miscue, Dicker rebounded by making his next two extra points and adding a 29-yard field goal, along with the 46-yarder he hit before the missed PAT.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2024
I am yours, Reverend Sir, to command, PAT.
From The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 2 by Browning, William Ernst
“We finally got it down pat. We’ve got the chemistry down pat, where we know where guys are going to be. … We’re just all on one page,” Wall said.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 26, 2017
“I don’t think you’ll see us sitting pat. I think you’ll see us aggressive and trying to get better. Maybe in some areas that the normal fan isn’t anticipating to happen.”
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2016
We drank it, O ale-knight, sub teg. pat. fag. more than five years ago, of a summer evening, in dear old Cambridge, then undisfigured by the New Chapel.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 02, No. 13, November, 1858 by Various
Diamine orange D C, pat., with an addition of 6½ oz. soap, 4 to 5 dr. soda per 10 gallons liquor, 16 oz.
From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin
Cold Rolled—Shafting, piston rods, pump rods, Collins pat. double compression couplings, manufactured by Jones & Laughlins, Pittsburgh, Pa. For solid wrought-iron beams, etc., see advertisement.
She said she "pats herself on the head every day" for booking the appointment and "shudders to think" what would have happened if she had not.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
Five times over two days, Trump referred to Xi as his friend, taking every public opportunity to offer his compliments and pats on the back.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2026
Sometimes, her 3-year-old pats his belly when he’s hungry for his favorite fruits like strawberries.
From Salon ● Apr. 9, 2026
He pats my arm, then walks me to Jaarsma Bakery and stands in line with me, telling me how good the cake is.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2025
Mama pats his flames with a dish towel, her hands.
From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
The monarch was also photographed laughing in the Oval Office when Trump reached out and patted his knee.
From Barron's ● May 1, 2026
As Hugo Ekitike walked off to the adulation of the Anfield crowd last Saturday and took his seat on the bench, Alexander Isak simply patted his Liverpool team-mate's hair from behind.
From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026
She held back tears, kissed her hand and patted the ice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 9, 2026
The preseason poll patted IU on the head with a No. 20 ranking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025
I patted the floor next to me and he scooted over, skinny as a strand of the wool.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
“You should be patting yourself on the back.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026
He deployed a charm offensive throughout his stay here, confident in the impact of his personal touch on world leaders, often seen patting Xi on the back and repeatedly calling him his friend.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2026
The two leaders shook hands warmly, Trump patting Xi's hand, and exchanged a few words on the red carpet before the cameras.
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
"She's an amazing person and an amazing fighter, and she announced a minor difficulty which will be in good shape," Trumps said, patting her on the shoulder.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026
“You’ll see,” she says, pulling the ultimate mom card and patting my knee.
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.