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

Then comes an electric riff, some pattering drums, more singers. —Alex Suskind, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024

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

Noun

Ever the needler, Travis hands her money to buy a book to learn to speak English, because her hillbilly patter will drive him crazy. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

In a mode somewhat reminiscent of Diablo Cody’s early films, this screenplay’s snappy patter can cross a line from sharp to merely show-offy. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 13 Dec. 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"