pat (1) — OET

pat1

verb

Brian patted her absent-mindedly on the shoulder:

tap, slap lightly, clap, dab;

touch, stroke, pet, caress, fondle, rub.

□ pat someone on the back

congratulate, praise, sing the praises of, express approval of, take one's hat off to;

commend, compliment, applaud, acclaim, give someone a pat on the back, throw bouquets at.

□ pat oneself on the back

boast, brag, crow, swagger, swank, blow one's own trumpet, congratulate oneself;

preen oneself, pride oneself;

informal talk big.

noun

1 a pat on the cheek:

tap, light blow, clap, dab;

caress, stroke, fondle, touch.

2 a pat of butter:

piece, dab, lump, portion, knob, mass, cake, chunk, wedge, hunk, ball, curl;

British gobbet;

rare clod, gob.

□ a pat on the back

you owe me a pat on the back for a job well done:

praise, congratulations, commendation, applause, salutes, honour, acclaim, acclamation, tribute, cheers, ovation, accolade, plaudits, felicitations;

approval, admiration, approbation, compliments, kudos, adulation, homage;

eulogy, encomium, panegyric, bouquets, laurels, testimonial;

rare extolment, laudation, eulogium.

pat (1) Oxford Dictionary of English