pad

pad

I

pad¹ S3 /pæd/ noun [countable]
1.  SOFT MATERIAL a thick flat object made of cloth or rubber, used to protect or clean something, or to make something more comfortable
    pad of
    Press on the wound with a large pad of cotton wool.
    Use an abrasive pad for stubborn stains.
    knee/elbow/shin/shoulder pad (=a pad that you wear to protect a part of your body when you are playing a sport)
2.  PAPER several sheets of paper fastened together, used for writing or drawing
    writing/sketch/memo/legal etc pad
    a box of paints and a sketch pad
    Keep a telephone pad and a pen to hand.
    a pad of paper
3.  FLAT GROUND a piece of flat ground where small aircraft can land
    launch/landing/helicopter pad
    The hospital has built a helicopter pad.
4.  ANIMAL’S FOOT the flesh on the bottom of the foot of a cat, dog etc
5.  APARTMENT old-fashioned informal someone’s apartment or the room where they live
6.  WATER PLANT the leaf of a water lily
⇨ launch pad, helicopter pad

II

pad² verb (past tense and past participle padded, present participle padding)1. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to walk softly and quietly
    pad across/through/along etc
    The cat came padding silently back to its home.
    She padded barefoot down the stairs.
2. [transitive] (also pad (something) out British English) to fill or cover something with a soft material in order to protect it or make it more comfortable
    pad something with something
    jackets padded out with a soft cotton filling
3. [transitive] American English to dishonestly make bills more expensive than they should be:
    padding the bills of Medicare patients
4. [transitive] (also pad (something) out) to make a speech or piece of writing longer by adding unnecessary words or details:
    Don’t pad out your answer to make it seem impressive.
    pad with
    His autobiography is padded with boring anecdotes.
     

THESAURUS

■ to walk quietly
   ▪ tiptoe to walk quietly and carefully on your toes because you do not want to make a noise: I tiptoed out trying not to wake the baby.
   ▪ creep to walk quietly and slowly because you do not want anyone to see or hear you: Stella crept up the stairs, hoping not to wake her parents.
   ▪ sneak to walk quietly so that no-one notices you, especially because you are doing something you should not do: They sneaked off without paying. | I quickly sneaked out to have a cigarette.
   ▪ pad to walk quietly without wearing shoes – also used about cats and dogs walking quietly: Michelle got up and padded barefoot down to the kitchen. | The cat padded in, asking for her food.