pattered; pattering; patters
: to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner
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
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
pattered; pattering; patters
1
: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly
2
: to run with quick light-sounding steps
: to cause to patter
: a quick succession of light sounds or pats
Synonyms
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
Bryan West, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024
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
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
The collection features several other fun Arizona-adjacent patters, and each set is $10.
—Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patter 
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Verb
The droplets of rain on the stage jumped as each of her feet pattered on the LED screen stage.
—Bryan West, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024
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
Noun
But at times, there’s a defensive, slightly cruel streak to his patter that can eclipse his better angels (of which there are many) and test the goodwill of those around him.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
The collection features several other fun Arizona-adjacent patters, and each set is $10.
—Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patter
Dictionary Entries Near patter
Cite this Entry
“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patter. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patter
1 of 4 verb
pat·ter
ˈpat-ər 
: to talk quickly and smoothly or mechanically
patter
2 of 4 noun1
2
: fast talk used especially to attract attention or to entertain
patter
3 of 4 verb1
: 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"
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