Pat vs. Pet: What's the Difference?

Pat and Pet Definitions
Pat
To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.
Pet
An animal kept for enjoyment or companionship.
Pat
To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.
Pet
An object of the affections.
Pat
To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.
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Pet
A person especially loved or indulged; a favorite
The teacher's pet.
Pat
To run or walk with a tapping sound.
Pet
A fit of bad temper or pique.
Pat
To hit something or against something gently or lightly.
Pet
Kept as a pet
A pet cat.
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Pat
A light gentle stroke or tap.
Pet
Particularly cherished or indulged
A pet grandchild.
Pat
The sound made by a light stroke or tap or by light footsteps.
Pet
Expressing or showing affection
A pet name.
Pat
A small mass shaped by or as if by patting
A pat of butter.
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Pet
Being a favorite
A pet topic.
Pat
Suitable; fitting
"Suggestions about her reasons for going are made indirectly, lightly and ambiguously.
No pat explanation is offered" (Janna Malamud Smith).
Pet
To stroke or caress gently.
Pat
Fitting or satisfactory in a superficial or contrived way, especially in being trite or glib
"The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the ending too pat" (Leonard Malkin).
Pet
To stroke or fondle amorously.
Pat
(Games) Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.
Pet
To be sulky and peevish.
Pat
Readily or perfectly as a result of memorization or familiarization
They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat.
Pet
An animal kept as a companion.
Pat
The sound of a light slap or tap with a soft flat object, especially of a footstep
We heard a pat on the door.
Pet
(by extension) Something kept as a companion, including inanimate objects. (pet rock, pet plant, etc.)
Pat
A light tap or slap, especially with the hands
Give Mary a pat on the shoulder to get her attention.
Pet
One who is excessively loyal to a superior and receives preferential treatment.
Pat
A flattish lump of soft matter, especially butter or dung.
Pet
Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a darling.
Pat
To (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.
Pet
A fit of petulance, a sulk, arising from the impression that one has been offended or slighted.
Pat
To hit lightly and repeatedly with the flat of the hand to make smooth or flat
I patted the cookie dough into shape.
Pet
Abbreviation of petition
Pat
To stroke or fondle (an animal).
Do you want to pat the cat?
Pet
A term of endearment usually applied to women and children.
Pat
To gently rain.
Pet
(transitive) To stroke or fondle (an animal).
Pat
Exactly suitable, fitting, apt; timely, convenient, opportune, ready for the occasion; especially of things spoken.
A pat expression
Pet
To stroke or fondle (another person) amorously.
Pat
Trite, being superficially complete, lacking originality.
Pet
To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.
His daughter was petted and spoiled.
Pat
Opportunely, in a timely or suitable way.
Pet
To be a pet.
Pat
Perfectly.
He has the routine down pat.
Pet
To be peevish; to sulk.
Pat
To strike gently with the fingers or hand; to stroke lightly; to tap; as, to pat a dog.
Gay pats my shoulder, and you vanish quite.
Pet
Favourite; cherished; the focus of one's (usually positive) attention.
A pet child
The professor seemed offended by the criticism of her pet theory.
Pat
A light, quik blow or stroke with the fingers or hand; a tap.
Pet
Kept or treated as a pet.
Pet rock
Pat
A small mass, as of butter, shaped by pats.
It looked like a tessellated work of pats of butter.
Pet
A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.
Pat
Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely.
Pet
Any person especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.
The love of cronies, pets, and favorites.
Pat
In a pat manner.
I foresaw then 't would come in pat hereafter.
Pet
A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness.
Pat
The sound made by a gentle blow
Pet
Any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately. Distinguished from animals raised for food or to perform useful tasks, as a draft animal.
Pat
A light touch or stroke
Pet
Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory; a pet animal.
Some young lady's pet curate.
Pat
Pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
Pet
To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.
Pat
Hit lightly;
Pat him on the shoulder
Pet
To be a pet.
Pat
Having only superficial plausibility;
Glib promises
A slick commercial
Pet
A domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
Pat
Exactly suited to the occasion;
A pat reply
Pet
A special loved one
Pat
Completely or perfectly;
He has the lesson pat
Had the system down pat
Pet
A fit of petulance or sulkiness (especially at what is felt to be a slight)
Pet
Using a computerized radiographic technique to examine the metabolic activity in various tissues (especially in the brain)
Pet
Stroke or caress gently;
Pet the lamb
Pet
Stroke or caress in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking
Pet
Preferred above all others and treated with partiality;
The favored child