Noun She gave the dog a quick pat. Adverb after months of practicing for the competition, the cheerleaders have their moves down patVerb The child gently patted the dog's head. He patted my knee and told me everything would be fine. He patted his hair down. She patted the dough into a square. He patted the lettuce dry with a paper towel. Adjective The movie's pat ending was a disappointment. His explanation was too pat to be believable. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To freeze slices, slightly blanch them, plunge them in ice water, drain and pat dry. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 3 Sep. 2022 The epiphany feels a little pat in the moment, but also touchingly earnest in its message that a person need not be perfect to be worthy of respect and attention. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2022 From educating them to giving them a pat on the back or perhaps just a little nudge, every thoughtful and personalized touchpoint adds to the moment of magic in building that connection. Sagar Babber, Forbes, 13 June 2022 Stause also seemed to be pleased with her performance, smiling as G Flip gave her a pat on the back. Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE.com, 10 May 2022 From receivers to offensive linemen, the entire offense ran over to Estes near the sideline to give him a hug or a pat on the helmet. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the aides score a pat on the back by the boss. Chad Pergram | Fox News, Fox News, 6 Aug. 2022 Standing pat doesn’t work on a team that’s 15½ games out in early August. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Aug. 2022 But this is one of the few songs that sound recorded with live instruments — plinking guitar and some pitter-pat percussion. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 30 July 2022
Adverb
The 2016 draft was the last time the Bengals stayed pat through all seven rounds. Tyler Dragon, Cincinnati.com, 21 Apr. 2020 To use, soak the disc about 15 minutes, pat dry, and snap in place. Jean Kressy, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2019 Drain onions, pat dry, and add to tomatoes along with the parsley, dill, and mint. Christopher Kimball, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2019 When the grill is nice and hot, pat dry the scallops with a paper towel. Multiple Authors, House Beautiful, 1 May 2010 Using a slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to a bowl of ice water to cool; pat dry.Bon Appetit, 14 May 2018 Remove the small side muscle from the scallops, rinse with cold water and thoroughly pat dry.Fox News, 14 Feb. 2018 The use of police pat-downs declined as a result starting in late 2015, according to Cassell and Fowles. Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 14 May 2018 The use of police pat-downs declined as a result starting in late 2015, according to Cassell and Fowles. Salvador Rizzo, chicagotribune.com, 14 May 2018
Verb
Be sure to pat the zucchini dry as much as possible before adding it to the batter. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 3 Sep. 2022 Grinch certainly isn’t one to pat himself on the back about any potential transformation. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 Many bidet users use a small bit of toilet paper to pat themselves dry. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2022 Associate head coach Jon Scheyer, who is designated as Krzyzewski’s successor next season, took a moment to pat his mentor on the right shin before the opening tip.Fox News, 6 Mar. 2022 Associate head coach Jon Scheyer, who is designated as Krzyzewski’s successor next season, took a moment to pat his mentor on the right shin before the opening tip. Aaron Beard, chicagotribune.com, 6 Mar. 2022 Associate head coach Jon Scheyer, who is designated as Krzyzewski’s successor next season, took a moment to pat his mentor on the right shin before the opening tip. Aaron Beard, baltimoresun.com, 5 Mar. 2022 Follow this list, then pat yourself on the back for taking care of your digital self. Kim Komando, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 Transfer the peas to the second clean dish towel on the counter, fold over the towel, and gently pat and roll them around until most of the moisture has been soaked up. Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 29 May 2022
Adjective
If mushrooms are damp, pat thoroughly dry with a paper or kitchen towel. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2022 The script, by Dana Stevens and Bello, while at times a bit pat, and flat, carefully balances each element of the story. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 After washing, pat the area dry with a clean tissue or paper towel. Mara Santilli, SELF, 6 Sep. 2022 Every time the script threatens a pat or sentimental resolution, the plainer outcomes of real life kick in. Guy Lodge, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022 Instead of rubbing a washcloth on your face, gently pat skin dry to avoid causing irritation. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 24 Aug. 2022 But this pat formulation overlooks something important. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2022 If that sounds pat, given the way therapy speak has crept into the culture at large over the last decade, Boogie knows. Paul Thompson, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2022 Both women, ultimately, are just characters in a movie, being jerked around on their way to a pat ending. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English patte, probably of imitative origin