pat

See also Pat

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /pæt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form pat

Third-person singular pats

Past tense patted

Past participle patted

Present participle patting

A police officer patting down a criminal

1. (transitive) If you pat something, you touch it gently a number of times with your open hand.

   Rinse the meat with water then pat dry.

   "You're good people, too, Agnes." He reached over an patted her shoulder. "Don't worry."

   She held the baby close to her chest and gently patted his back.

   He patted his pocket, looking for cigarettes.

   The dog relaxed as he scratched her ears and patted her head.

Synonyms

• touch
• tap
• stroke
• pet

Related words and phrases

• pat on the back

Noun

Singular pat

Plural pats

1. A gentle touch or tap.
2. The sound made by the gentle touch.