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
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Dec. 2016
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
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
These micro-moments can be as simple as the smell of your morning coffee, playing with your pet, watching raindrops patter on the window, or taking your shoes off after a long day.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patter 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
For example, someone may not notice a clock ticking in the corner of the room if rain is pattering on the roof.
—IEEE Spectrum, 6 Dec. 2016
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
Noun
O’Hara’s text has a sitcom patter to it with transparent laugh lines that feel almost like Neil Simon with more atmospheric profanity.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
These micro-moments can be as simple as the smell of your morning coffee, playing with your pet, watching raindrops patter on the window, or taking your shoes off after a long day.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes, 4 Nov. 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 1 Dec. 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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