PAT (patted, patting)
Dictionary entry overview: What does pat mean?
• PAT (noun)
The noun PAT has 2 senses:
1. the sound made by a gentle blow
2. a light touch or stroke
Familiarity information: PAT used as a noun is rare.
• PAT (adjective)
The adjective PAT has 2 senses:
1. having only superficial plausibility
2. exactly suited to the occasion
Familiarity information: PAT used as an adjective is rare.
• PAT (verb)
The verb PAT has 2 senses:
1. pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
2. hit lightly
Familiarity information: PAT used as a verb is rare.
• PAT (adverb)
The adverb PAT has 1 sense:
1. completely or perfectly
Familiarity information: PAT used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
• PAT (noun)
Meaning:
The sound made by a gentle blow
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
pat; tap; rap
Hypernyms ("pat" is a kind of...):
sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pat"):
pitter-patter (a series of rapid tapping sounds)
Meaning:
A light touch or stroke
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
dab; pat; tap
Hypernyms ("pat" is a kind of...):
touch; touching (the act of putting two things together with no space between them)
• PAT (adjective)
Meaning:
Having only superficial plausibility
Synonyms:
pat; glib; slick
Context examples:
glib promises / a slick commercial
Similar:
plausible (apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful)
Meaning:
Exactly suited to the occasion
Context example:
a pat reply
Similar:
appropriate (suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc)
• PAT (verb)
Meaning:
Pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
pat; chuck
Hypernyms (to "pat" is one way to...):
caress (touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something PP
Meaning:
Hit lightly
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
pat; dab
Context example:
pat him on the shoulder
Hypernyms (to "pat" is one way to...):
strike (deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
• PAT (adverb)
Meaning:
Completely or perfectly
Context examples:
he has the lesson pat / had the system down pat
