pat
Other forms: patted; patting; pats; patly; pated
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.
Definitions of pat
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hit lightly
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pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
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a light touch or stroke
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the sound made by a gentle blow
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types:
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pitter-patter
a series of rapid tapping sounds
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type of:
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sound
the sudden occurrence of an audible event
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pitter-patter
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exactly suited to the occasion“a pat reply”
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Synonyms:
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appropriate
suitable for a particular person, place, condition, etc.
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appropriate
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completely or perfectly“he has the lesson pat”“had the system down pat”
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having only superficial plausibility
Pronunciation
US
/pæt/
UK
/pæt/
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