pat

Examples

• All

• Again, pat, pat, pat, pat, pat.

  The Dark Web Tapes (2020)

• Give yourself a good pat on the back, Strickland.

  The Shape of Water (2017)

• Howie lifted a hand and patted me on the shoulder: pat, pat, pat.

  Fiction book (1995)

• We hug each other for an instant, and she gives me fluttery pats on my back.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Uh, could I have a little more of the maple syrup and a couple more pats of butter, please, Mamie?

  Payne & Redemption (2022)

• The coach gave the player a gentle pat on the back for her outstanding performance.

• After the tough exam, my friend received a reassuring pat from his classmates.

• The puppy responded happily to a soft pat on its head from the child.

Synonyms

T

tap

vspat

66 1.0

A light touch or sound from a gentle hit

is specifically a softer sound from a single light blow

R

rap

vspat

25 2.1

A short sharp knock on a surface to get attention

is milder and focuses on a gentle soft blow not a sharp hit

T

tapping

vspat

22 1.9

A light repeated sound made by gentle knocks

is about one gentle sound rather than repeated hits

P

to plap

vspat

9.9

To make a light smacking or soft splashing sound

is gentler and lacks the splashing or smacking quality

P

pluff

vspat

9.9

A soft quiet sound when something light lands on a soft surface

is clearer and not limited to landing or padded surfaces

Idioms

P

to pat oneself on the back

• Informal

28 6.9

To praise yourself too much for something you did

D

down pat

• Informal

8 7.5

Learned so well you can do it without thinking

O

off pat

8.9

Learned so well that you can say or do it without thinking

Compounds

P

pat-down

47 4.9

A quick search of someone's clothes by touching to find hidden items

A

arm pat

1.8

A gentle touch on the arm to show comfort or support

How Loud

thud

81 2.2

clap

23 1.0

slap

110 1.0

pat

24 2.1

tap

66 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology