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How to pronounce pat
Say it like this: /ˈpæt/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does pat mean?
nounThe sound of a light slap or tap with a soft flat object, especially of a footstep.
“We heard a pat on the door.”
A light tap or slap, especially with the hands.
“Give Mary a pat on the shoulder to get her attention.”
A flattish lump of soft matter, especially butter or dung.
“It looked like a tessellated work of pats of butter.”
verbTo (gently) tap the flat of one's hand on a person or thing.
“To show affection, he decided he would pat the boy on the head.”
To hit lightly and repeatedly with the flat of the hand to make smooth or flat
“I patted the cookie dough into shape.”
To stroke or fondle (an animal). Compare pet.
“Do you want to pat the cat?”
adjExactly suitable, fitting, apt; timely, convenient, opportune, ready for the occasion; especially of things spoken.
“a pat expression”
Trite, being superficially complete, lacking originality.
“Pat responses from management seemed to be multiple variations on the theme of “We value your feedback.””
advOpportunely, in a timely or suitable way.
“Now might I do it pat”
Perfectly.
“He has the routine down pat.”
Straight, right, exactly, precisely.
“His nose sitteth flat on the face of him as it were a dab of clay, and I can see pat up his nostrils a summer day’s journey into his head.”
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Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.