pet

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈpet 

1

: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility

2

a

: a pampered and usually spoiled child

b

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

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)

dated

: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger

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 of pet

Noun (1)

• favorite
• darling

Adjective

• beloved
• loved
• cherished
• favorite
• precious
• special
• darling
• sweet

Verb (1)

• pat
• stroke
• caress

Noun (2)

• pouts
• dumps
• blues
• irritableness

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

For families The resort couldn’t be more family- and pet-friendly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Frequently asked questions Grass doesn’t last forever, and as individual blades die off from age, disease, pets, and everyday wear, your lawn will gradually thin out if there are no new seeds to replace them. — Amanda Tust, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The personal finance website compared the nation’s 100 largest cities across 23 metrics related to the cost of pet ownership, pet health and wellness and outdoor amenities for animals. — Evan Moore august 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026

First Street Village, a 275-unit apartment complex built in 2023 that has ground-floor retail such as a wine bar, fitness center and pet groomer, got help from the city. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

Verb

Pet stores are an obvious option, and employees will be eager to pet your dog and probably offer a treat. — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

The accompanying video showed a baby Mabel smiling and reaching for her father, as well as various clips of the new teenager traveling, playing at the park, and petting a cute dog at a bookstore. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026

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)

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Rhymes for pet

• bet
• brett
• debt
• et
• fret
• get
• jet
• let
• lett
• met
• net
• nett

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