Pat vs. Pot: What's the Difference?
By Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
"Pat" is a light, quick touch or tap, often with the hand, while "pot" is a container used for cooking or storing items.
Key Differences
Pat" refers to a light, quick touch or tap, usually done with the hand. This action can be used to show affection, approval, or to shape and flatten something. On the other hand, "pot" is a container, usually round and deep, used for cooking or storing items. Pots come in various sizes and materials, such as metal, ceramic, or plastic. They are essential kitchen items used to prepare a wide range of dishes.
While "pat" is an action that involves physical contact, "pot" is an object designed for practical uses in cooking and storage. The contexts in which these terms are used are distinct; "pat" is associated with gestures and actions, whereas "pot" is associated with culinary and storage functions.
"Pat" often conveys a sense of gentleness or lightness, reflecting the nature of the action. In contrast, "pot" denotes sturdiness and utility, emphasizing its role as a durable and functional item. The contrast between the two terms highlights their different applications and the specific imagery they evoke.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A light, quick touch or tap
A container used for cooking or storing
Usage Context
Social interactions, shaping, comforting
Cooking, storage, planting
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Nature
Action, gesture
Object, item
Connotation
Gentle, reassuring
Practical, utilitarian
Examples
Patting a dog, patting dough
Cooking pot, flower pot
Pat and Pot Definitions
Pat
A light touch with the hand.
She gave her friend a reassuring pat on the back.
Pot
A round, fairly deep cooking vessel with a handle and often a lid.
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Pat
A quick, affectionate stroke.
He patted his dog's head gently.
Pot
A short round container for storing or serving food
A jam pot.
A mustard pot.
Pat
A soft, brief touch.
The teacher gave the student a pat on the shoulder.
Pot
A coffeepot.
Pat
To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.
Pot
A teapot.
Pat
To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.
Pot
Such a container and its contents
A pot of stew.
Brewed a pot of coffee.
Pat
To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.
Pot
A potful.
Pat
To run or walk with a tapping sound.
Pot
A large drinking cup; a tankard.
Pat
To hit something or against something gently or lightly.
Pot
A drink of liquor contained in such a cup.
Pat
A light gentle stroke or tap.
Pot
An artistic or decorative ceramic vessel of any shape.
Pat
The sound made by a light stroke or tap or by light footsteps.
Pot
A flowerpot.
Pat
A small mass shaped by or as if by patting
A pat of butter.
Pot
Something, such as a chimney pot or chamber pot, that resembles a round cooking vessel in appearance or function.
Pat
Suitable; fitting
"Suggestions about her reasons for going are made indirectly, lightly and ambiguously.
No pat explanation is offered" (Janna Malamud Smith).
Pot
A trap for eels, other fish, or crustaceans, typically consisting of a wicker or wire basket or cage.
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).
Pot
The total amount staked by all the players in one hand in cards.
Pat
(Games) Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.
Pot
The area on a card table where stakes are placed.
Pat
Readily or perfectly as a result of memorization or familiarization
They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat.
Pot
A shot in billiards or related games intended to send a ball into a pocket.
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.
Pot
(Informal) A common fund to which members of a group contribute.
Pat
A light tap or slap, especially with the hands
Give Mary a pat on the shoulder to get her attention.
Pot
Often pots Informal A large amount
Lost a pot of cash in the stock market crash.
Made pots of money on their investment.
Pat
A flattish lump of soft matter, especially butter or dung.
Pot
(Informal) A potshot.
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.
Pot
(Informal) A potbelly.
Pat
To hit lightly and repeatedly with the flat of the hand to make smooth or flat
I patted the cookie dough into shape.
Pot
(Informal) A potty or toilet.
Pat
To stroke or fondle (an animal).
Do you want to pat the cat?
Pot
Marijuana.
Pat
To gently rain.
Pot
See potentiometer.
Pat
Exactly suitable, fitting, apt; timely, convenient, opportune, ready for the occasion; especially of things spoken.
A pat expression
Pot
To place or plant in a pot
Pot a geranium.
Pat
Trite, being superficially complete, lacking originality.
Pot
To preserve (food) in a pot.
Pat
Opportunely, in a timely or suitable way.
Pot
To cook in a pot.
Pat
Perfectly.
He has the routine down pat.
Pot
To shoot (game) for food rather than for sport.
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.
Pot
(Informal) To shoot with a potshot.
Pat
A light, quik blow or stroke with the fingers or hand; a tap.
Pot
(Informal) To win or capture; bag.
Pat
A small mass, as of butter, shaped by pats.
It looked like a tessellated work of pats of butter.
Pot
(Games) To hit (a ball) into a pocket.
Pat
Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely.
Pot
(Informal) To take a potshot.
Pat
In a pat manner.
I foresaw then 't would come in pat hereafter.
Pot
To make or shape objects from clay, as on a potter's wheel.
Pat
The sound made by a gentle blow
Pot
A flat-bottomed vessel (usually metal) used for cooking food.
Pat
A light touch or stroke
Pot
Various similar open-topped vessels, particularly
Pat
Pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
Pot
A vessel (usually earthenware) used with a seal for storing food, such as a honeypot.
Pat
Hit lightly;
Pat him on the shoulder
Pot
A vessel used for brewing or serving drinks: a coffeepot or teapot.
Pat
Having only superficial plausibility;
Glib promises
A slick commercial
Pot
A vessel used to hold soil for growing plants, particularly flowers: a flowerpot.
Pat
Exactly suited to the occasion;
A pat reply
Pot
A vessel used for urination and defecation: a chamber pot; a toilet; the lavatory.
Shit or get off the pot.
Pat
Completely or perfectly;
He has the lesson pat
Had the system down pat
Pot
A crucible: a melting pot.
Pat
A gentle tap to shape or smooth.
He patted the dough into a flat circle.
Pot
A pot-shaped trap used for catching lobsters or other seafood: a lobster pot.
Pat
To lightly press down.
She patted the soil around the plant.
Pot
A pot-shaped metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney: a chimney pot.
Pot
A perforated cask for draining sugar.
Pot
(obsolete) An earthen or pewter cup or mug used for drinking liquor.
Pot
A glass of beer in Australia whose size varies regionally but is typically around 10 fl oz (285 mL).
Pot
Pothole, sinkhole, vertical cave.
Pot
A shallow hole used in certain games played with marbles. The marbles placed in it are called potsies.
Pot
Ruin or deterioration.
After his arrest, his prospects went to pot.
Pot
(historical) Any of various traditional units of volume notionally based on the capacity of a pot.
Pot
(historical) An iron hat with a broad brim worn as a helmet.
Pot
(rail transport) A pot-shaped non-conducting (usually ceramic) stand that supports an electrified rail while insulating it from the ground.
Pot
The money available to be won in a hand of poker or a round of other games of chance; (figuratively) any sum of money being used as an enticement.
No one's interested. You need to sweeten the pot.
Pot
A favorite: a heavily-backed horse.
Pot
(slang) potbelly: a pot-shaped belly, a paunch.
Pot
(slang) potshot: a haphazard shot; an easy or cheap shot.
Pot
A plaster cast.
Pot
(historical) nodot=a: a former size of paper, 12.5 × 15 inches.
Pot
Marijuana.
Pot
A simple electromechanical device used to control resistance or voltage (often to adjust sound volume) in an electronic device by rotating or sliding when manipulated by a human thumb, screwdriver, etc.
Pot
(RPG) potion
Pot
To put (something) into a pot.
To pot a plant
Pot
To preserve by bottling or canning.
Potted meat
Pot
To cause a ball to fall into a pocket.
Pot
To be capable of being potted.
The black ball doesn't pot; the red is in the way.
Pot
(transitive) To shoot with a firearm.
Pot
To take a pot shot, or haphazard shot, with a firearm.
Pot
To secure; gain; win; bag.
Pot
(British) To send someone to gaol, expeditiously.
Pot
To tipple; to drink.
Pot
(transitive) To drain (e.g. sugar of the molasses) in a perforated cask.
Pot
To seat a person, usually a young child, on a potty or toilet, typically during toilet teaching.
Pot
To apply a plaster cast to a broken limb.
Pot
To catch (a fish, eel, etc) via a pot.
Pot
To score (a drop goal).
Pot
To fade volume in or out by means of a potentiometer.
Pot
A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables, for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a flower pot; a bean pot.
Pot
An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.
Pot
The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of ale.
Pot
A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top of a chimney; a chimney pot.
Pot
A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.
Pot
A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.
Pot
A perforated cask for draining sugar.
Pot
A size of paper. See Pott.
Pot
Marijuana.
Pot
The total of the bets at stake at one time, as in racing or card playing; the pool;
Pot
A plain defensive headpiece; later, and perhaps in a jocose sense, any helmet; - called also pot helmet.
Pot
The total of the bets at one time; the pool.
Pot
To place or inclose in pots
Pot
To shoot for the pot, i.e., cooking; to secure or hit by a pot shot; to shoot when no special skill is needed.
When hunted, it [the jaguar] takes refuge in trees, and this habit is well known to hunters, who pursue it with dogs and pot it when treed.
Pot
To secure; gain; win; bag.
Pot
To tipple; to drink.
It is less labor to plow than to pot it.
Pot
To take a pot shot or shots, as at game or an enemy.
Pot
Metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
Pot
A plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
Pot
The quantity contained in a pot
Pot
A container in which plants are cultivated
Pot
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Pot
The cumulative amount involved in a game (such as poker)
Pot
Slang terms for a paunch
Pot
A resistor with three terminals, the third being an adjustable center terminal; used to adjust voltages in radios and TV sets
Pot
Street names for marijuana
Pot
Plant in a pot;
He potted the palm
Pot
A round container for cooking.
She simmered the soup in a large pot.
Pot
A vessel for storing items.
He stored the leftovers in a ceramic pot.
Pot
A container for plants.
The flowers bloomed beautifully in the terracotta pot.
Pot
A utensil for boiling or simmering food.
The pasta was boiling in the pot.
Pot
A large container for various uses.
The pot on the stove was whistling as the water boiled.
FAQs
What is a "pot"?
A container used for cooking, storing, or planting.
What materials are pots made of?
Pots can be made of metal, ceramic, plastic, or glass.
What is a "pat"?
A light, quick touch or tap, usually with the hand.
Can "pat" be used as a verb?
Yes, it means to lightly touch or tap something.
What does "pat" imply in social interactions?
It often implies reassurance or comfort.
What sizes do pots come in?
Pots range from small to large, depending on their use.
Can "pot" refer to non-cooking items?
Yes, such as flower pots or storage pots.
Is "pat" used to show affection?
Yes, it can be used to show affection, like patting a child’s head.
Can "pot" be used in gardening?
Yes, pots are commonly used for planting flowers and plants.
Are there different types of pots?
Yes, including saucepans, stockpots, and flower pots.
Is "pat" always done with the hand?
Typically, yes, but it can also refer to light touches with other objects.
Is "pat" a gentle action?
Yes, it is generally a gentle and light action.
Can "pat" be used in baking?
Yes, for tasks like patting dough into shape.
Do pots have lids?
Many pots come with lids to cover them.
Are pots found in every kitchen?
Generally, yes, as they are fundamental kitchen items.
Is "pat" used in everyday language?
Yes, it is commonly used to describe gentle touches or taps.
Can "pat" be comforting?
Yes, a pat can be used to comfort someone.
Does "pat" have other meanings?
It can also mean to shape or flatten something gently.
Are pots essential in cooking?
Yes, they are essential for preparing a variety of dishes.
What are some common uses for pots?
Cooking, boiling, storing food, and planting.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
