pat

verb

/pæt/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they pat	/pæt/ /pæt/
he / she / it pats	/pæts/ /pæts/
past simple patted	/ˈpætɪd/ /ˈpætɪd/
past participle patted	/ˈpætɪd/ /ˈpætɪd/
-ing form patting	/ˈpætɪŋ/ /ˈpætɪŋ/

Idioms

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to touch somebody/something gently several times with your hand flat, especially to show kind feelings
- pat something She patted the dog on the head.
- He patted his sister's hand consolingly.
- pat something + adj. Pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Extra Examples
- He patted her gently on the shoulder.
- I threw my arms around him and he awkwardly patted my back.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- gently
- lightly
- affectionately
- …
preposition
- on
See full entry
More Like This Consonant-doubling verbs
Consonant-doubling verbs
- bob
- club
- dub
- grab
- rub
- sob
- throb
- kid
- nod
- pad
- plod
- prod
- shred
- skid
- thud
- beg
- blog
- bug
- drag
- drug
- flag
- hug
- jog
- log
- mug
- nag
- plug
- bar
- confer
- infer
- occur
- prefer
- refer
- star
- stir
- transfer
- acquit
- admit
- allot
- chat
- clot
- commit
- jut
- knit
- pat
- regret
- rot
- spot
- submit
- appal
- cancel
- channel
- control
- counsel
- enrol
- equal
- excel
- fuel
- fulfil
- label
- level
- marvel
- model
- pedal
- quarrel
- signal
- travel
Word Originverb late Middle English (as a noun denoting a blow with something flat): probably imitative. The verb dates from the mid 16th cent.

Idioms

pat somebody/yourself on the back

(informal) to praise somebody or yourself for doing something well

pat

noun

/pæt/

Idioms

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[usually singular] a gentle friendly touch with your open hand or with a flat object
- a pat on the head
- He gave her knee an affectionate pat.
- He gave the dog a pat.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- affectionate
- friendly
- reassuring
- …
verb + pat
- give somebody/something
preposition
- pat on
See full entry
pat of butter a small, soft, flat piece of butter
- baked potatoes with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of paprika
see also cowpat

Word Originnoun late Middle English (as a noun denoting a blow with something flat): probably imitative. The verb dates from the mid 16th cent.

Idioms

a pat on the back (for something/for doing something)

(informal) praise or approval for something that you have done well
- He deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.
- Give yourself a pat on the back!

pat

adjective

/pæt/

(usually disapproving)

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(of an answer, a comment, etc.) too quick, easy or simple; not seeming natural or realistic synonym glib
- The ending of the novel is a little too pat to be convincing.
- There are no pat answers to these questions.
Word Originadjective late 16th cent.: related to pat (verb); apparently originally symbolic: a frequently found early use was hit pat (i.e. hit as if with flat blow).

pat

adverb

/pæt/

Word Originadverb late 16th cent.: related to pat (verb); apparently originally symbolic: a frequently found early use was hit pat (i.e. hit as if with flat blow).

Idioms

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Idioms

have/know something off pat (British English)

(North American English have/know something down pat)

to know something perfectly so that you can repeat it at any time without having to think about it
- He had all the answers off pat.

stand pat

(especially North American English) to refuse to change your mind about a decision you have made or an opinion you haveTopics Opinion and argumentc2

Pat

/pæt/

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a first name for boys or girls, short for Patrick or Patricia

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