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
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
Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Timbaland’s programming is at warp level, with pattering percussion across drum heads, yielding a crowd-pleaser that Elliott carries at a galloping pace.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
After some patter from the hype man, Greg Gutfeld came out and read MAGA-dad jokes off a teleprompter, and teed up his four guests: a comedian named Michael Loftus, the anarchist troll Michael Malice, the former MTV v.j. Kennedy, and Cobb, who wore a Chicago Blackhawks hockey jersey.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
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Verb
The sky was gray, and rain pattered down through the leaves.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Timbaland’s programming is at warp level, with pattering percussion across drum heads, yielding a crowd-pleaser that Elliott carries at a galloping pace.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
But his sales patter — expertly doling out the bull — is unmatched.
—Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 5 June 2025
After some patter from the hype man, Greg Gutfeld came out and read MAGA-dad jokes off a teleprompter, and teed up his four guests: a comedian named Michael Loftus, the anarchist troll Michael Malice, the former MTV v.j. Kennedy, and Cobb, who wore a Chicago Blackhawks hockey jersey.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Cite this Entry
“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patter. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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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