pat
To touch something softly with your hand, usually to show love or make someone feel good.
To touch someone or something lightly and gently, often repeatedly, with the hand or fingers, usually to show affection or approval.
A soft touch with your hand to show love or care.
A gentle light touch made with the hand or fingers, often to show affection, support, or approval.
To press something softly to make it flat or smooth.
To press something lightly and repeatedly with the hand or tool in order to shape, smooth, or flatten it.
Easy and quick but not very deep or thoughtful.
Exactly suitable or apt, often too quick or simple to be considered thoughtful.
A small piece of soft food like butter, made flat and round.
A small portion of soft food, such as butter, shaped into a flat mass.
- Base: pat
- Base: pat
- Plural: pats
- Base: pat
- 3rd Person Singular: pats
- Present Participle: patting
- Past: patted
- Irregular present participle: patting Verb
- Irregular past: patted Verb
a pat on the back
1Praise or approval gesture
To show that you are happy with someone’s work by saying nice words or touching their back softly.
- The boss gave her a pat on the back for finishing early.
- You deserve a pat on the back for your hard work.
pat down
1Search by touching clothes
To search someone by using your hands to feel over their clothes for hidden things.
- The guard patted him down before letting him in.
- Police officers may pat down suspects for weapons.
pat yourself on the back
1Praise yourself for achievement
To feel proud of something you did well and think you deserve praise.
- You should pat yourself on the back for finishing that project.
- Don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back when you succeed.