pet

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈpet 

1

a

: a pampered and usually spoiled child

b

: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling

2

: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility

pet

2 of 8

adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

2

: expressing fondness or endearment

a pet name

3

: favorite

a pet project

pet

3 of 8

verb (1)

petted; petting

transitive verb

1

a

: to treat as a pet

b

: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner

2

: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper

intransitive verb

: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck

petter noun

pet

4 of 8

noun (2)

: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger

—usually used in the phrase in a pet

resigned in a pet

pet

5 of 8

verb (2)

petted; petting

intransitive verb

: to take offense : sulk

pet

6 of 8

abbreviation (1)

petroleum

Pet

7 of 8

abbreviation (2)

Peter

PET

8 of 8

abbreviation (3)

positron-emission tomography

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• darling
• fave
• favorite
• minion
• preference
• speed

Adjective

• beloved
• cherished
• darling
• dear
• fair-haired
• favored
• favorite
• fond
• loved
• precious
• special
• sweet
• white-headed

Verb (1)

• caress
• fondle
• gentle
• love
• pat
• stroke

Noun (2)

• grouch
• hump [British]
• pouts
• snit
• sulk
• sulkiness
• sullenness

Examples of pet in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges

Adjective

The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school.

spent my free time on my pet project

Verb (1)

a cat who loves to be petted

Noun (2)

the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The presence of an animal welfare organization representative is required in most movies featuring pets. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

A lot of people in this book have lost great friends, and pets become even more meaningful. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Town officials planned to notify the local school district inform children not to play with the brown snow, and recommended pet owners keep their animals away from it as well. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Get free home delivery from Meijer With the expansion, Meijer is offering free home delivery in the extended zone to those who purchase at least $35 in pet or beauty products, or $50 in general merchandise, through Feb. 1, 2025. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

Studies show that petting a dog lowers blood pressure. —Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 11 Nov. 2024

Muster the courage to walk past it, or even crouch down to pet it? —Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps back-formation from Middle English pety small — more at petty

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1581, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1629, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pet

• family pet
• in a pet
• pet hate
• pet name
• pet peeve
• teacher's pet

Kids Definition

pet

1 of 4 noun

ˈpet 

1

: someone given special treatment or consideration

teacher's pet

2

: a tame animal kept for pleasure rather than for use

pet

2 of 4 adjective

1

: kept or treated as a pet

a pet rabbit

2

: showing fondness

a pet name

3

: favorite entry 2

my pet project

pet

3 of 4 verb

petted; petting

1

: fondle, caress

2

: to treat as a pet : pamper

3

: to engage in embracing, caressing, and kissing

pet

4 of 4 noun

: a spell of sulkiness or anger

Medical Definition

PET

abbreviation

positron-emission tomography