# pat

/ˈpæt/ (US) · /pˈæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to tap gently

verb · CEFR A2

to touch someone or something lightly with the flat part of your hand.

For teachers: to strike or tap lightly with the palm of the hand or another flat surface, often as a gesture of affection or encouragement.

- He reached out to pat the dog on the head as he walked past.
- The coach would often pat his players on the shoulder to offer silent encouragement during particularly grueling training sessions.

### 2. to flatten

verb · CEFR B1

to hit something lightly many times to make it smooth or flat.

For teachers: to apply light, repeated pressure with a flat object or the hand to shape or smooth a substance.

- She used a spoon to pat the soil down around the new plant.
- After pouring the concrete, the workers used flat boards to pat the surface until it was perfectly level with the frame.

### 3. a light touch

noun · CEFR A2

the act of touching something lightly with your hand.

For teachers: a light, rhythmic stroke or tap made with the palm or fingers.

- She gave the child a reassuring pat on the back.
- A gentle pat on the arm was enough to get his attention without interrupting the ongoing conversation.

### 4. a small piece of food

noun · CEFR B2

a small, flat piece of something soft, like butter.

For teachers: a small, shaped mass of a soft substance, typically butter or margarine.

- The waiter placed a small pat of butter next to the warm bread.
- The recipe calls for a single pat of chilled butter to be stirred into the sauce at the very end for a glossy finish.

### 5. too simple or quick

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

an answer or explanation that is too simple and does not seem honest or deep.

For teachers: describing an answer or remark that is suspiciously clever, quick, or simplistic, often lacking genuine depth.

- His explanation for the mistake was a bit too pat for me to believe.
- The politician provided a pat response to the journalist's inquiry, neatly avoiding the underlying economic complexities of the crisis.

### 6. perfectly or exactly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

knowing something perfectly or having it ready at the right time.

For teachers: in a way that is perfectly memorised or exactly suited to the occasion; often used in the phrase 'to have something down pat'.

- She had her presentation down pat and didn't even need her notes.
- By the third week of rehearsals, the lead actor had his lines down pat, allowing him to focus entirely on his physical performance.

## Examples

- She gave the dog a gentle pat on the head.
- The coach walked over to pat the player on the shoulder after the tough loss.
- He reached out to pat the ancient stone wall, feeling the rough texture of the granite that had stood for centuries against the coastal winds.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.