patter

1 of 4

verb (1)

pat·ter ˈpa-tər

pattered; pattering; patters

Synonyms of patter next

transitive verb

: to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner

intransitive verb

: to recite prayers (such as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically

: to talk glibly and volubly

: to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance

patterer

ˈpa-tər-ər

noun

patter

2 of 4

noun (1)

: a specialized lingo : cant

especially : the jargon of criminals (such as thieves)

: the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker

: empty chattering talk

a(1)

: the rapid-fire talk of a comedian

(2)

: the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine

: 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

: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The rain seemed to patter at all of them. —

Elizabeth Mccracken, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2021

Noun

The comic patter is familiar but effective, much of it swirling around Peter’s efforts to charm his way past Gamora’s hostile eye rolls. —

Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023 The patter of footsteps overhead marks the New Year’s Party in Act 2, which tells the musicians to make way for an actor who snakes his way through the pit and sits below the conductor, waiting to fire a shot into the auditorium. —

Maria Clara Cobo Todd Heisler, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2023 On a breezy afternoon, the strangest of lineups filled a Takoma backyard with bagpipe blasts, harmonica solos and the patter of Colombian drums. —

Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2022 Each patter may offer a splat of infectious germs that, if accidentally ingested, could transform you into a veritable fecal fountain in the ensuing days. —

Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Aug. 2022 Something else that has worked its way into the movie-promoting patter is the plea to see films in theaters. —

Vulture, 4 Mar. 2022 Over time, the patter became what audiences packed into nightclubs to hear. —

Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 27 May 2021 Brockmire speaks in this deep, singsongy narrative patter, even, for instance, while sitting on the toilet. —

Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2021 There was paternalistic patter, but also a commandeering, sometimes invasive physicality. —

BostonGlobe.com, 19 Mar. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of patter was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patter. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

patter

1 of 4 verb

pat·ter ˈpat-ər

: to talk quickly and smoothly or mechanically

patter

2 of 4 noun

: jargon sense 2, cant

: fast talk used especially to attract attention or to entertain

patter

3 of 4 verb

: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly

rain pattering on a roof

: 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"