patter

1 of 4

verb (1)

pat·​ter ˈpa-tər 

pattered; pattering; patters

transitive verb

: to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner

intransitive verb

1

: to recite prayers (such as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically

2

: to talk glibly and volubly

3

: to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance

patterer

ˈpa-tər-ər 

noun

patter

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a specialized lingo : cant

especially : the jargon of criminals (such as thieves)

2

: the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker

3

: empty chattering talk

4

a(1)

: the rapid-fire talk of a comedian

(2)

: the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine

b

: the words of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usually humorous monologue introduced into such a song

patter

3 of 4

verb (2)

pattered; pattering; patters

intransitive verb

1

: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly

2

: to run with quick light-sounding steps

transitive verb

: to cause to patter

patter

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a quick succession of light sounds or pats

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• babble
• blab
• cackle
• chaffer [British]
• chat
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• run on
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• twitter
• visit

Noun (1)

• backchat
• cackle
• causerie
• chat
• chatter
• chin music
• chin-wag [slang]
• chitchat
• confab
• confabulation
• gab
• gabfest
• gossip
• jangle
• jaw
• natter [chiefly British]
• palaver
• rap
• schmooze
• small talk
• table talk
• talk
• tête-à-tête

Examples of patter in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the toddler pattered on for what seemed like hours

Noun (1)

their patter could be heard down the hall

the patter of highbrow criticism that one hears in fashionable art galleries

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rain pattered against windows and rattled off rooftops, sending streams of water across sidewalks and cobblestone streets and into gutters. —Les Carpenter, Washington Post, 31 July 2024

Young dancers clad in black leotards pattered gently across the stage to their places. —Bailey Reed, The Courier-Journal, 16 July 2024

Then comes an electric riff, some pattering drums, more singers. —Alex Suskind, Vulture, 6 June 2024

On the day of my visit, the heads of the organization had gathered to plot out the future of their movement, a light rain pattering at the windows of their conference room. —Simon Shuster / Vilnius, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English patren, from paternoster

Verb (2)

frequentative of pat entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (1)

1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1822, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing patter

• go pitter-patter
• pitter-patter

Kids Definition

patter

1 of 4 verb

pat·​ter ˈpat-ər 

: to talk quickly and smoothly or mechanically

patter

2 of 4 noun

1

: jargon sense 1, cant

2

: fast talk used especially to attract attention or to entertain

patter

3 of 4 verb

1

: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly

rain pattering on a roof

2

: to run with quick light-sounding steps

patter

4 of 4 noun

: a series of quick light sounds

the patter of little feet

Etymology

Verb

Middle English patren "to patter, chant prayers mechanically," from paternoster "Lord's Prayer, Our Father," derived from Latin pater noster "our father" (first words of the prayer)

Verb

from pat "to tap or strike"