1
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
their patter could be heard down the hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field
the patter of highbrow criticism that one hears in fashionable art galleries
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the toddler pattered on for what seemed like hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of patter
Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Death Proof is the closest Tarantino has come to making a horror movie, combining the structure, plotting, and slow build-up of a classical slasher with his signature patter while painting his kill scenes as thrilling action set pieces.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The rain was pattering on the windowpanes all night.
—Philip Metres
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Noun
Polka dots are an easy-apply patter to manicures of all types, and instantly make French tips a little more fun.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026
Death Proof is the closest Tarantino has come to making a horror movie, combining the structure, plotting, and slow build-up of a classical slasher with his signature patter while painting his kill scenes as thrilling action set pieces.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
As rain pattered against windows, and trees lining the streets swayed, flurries of urgent texts began ricocheting from one end of the neighborhood to the other, and panic set in as some residents put on their shoes and hurried out the door.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The rain was pattering on the windowpanes all night.
—Philip Metres
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patter
Noun
-
Like all the best restaurants in Rome, Piatto Romano welcomes a steady stream of Italians for lunch and dinner, who fill the restaurant with chatter and laughter.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The chatter around streaming bots grew noticeably louder in August 2025, when a prison phone call between Young Thug and an unidentified associate leaked online.—
Kyle Eustice,
VIBE.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no official word from Netflix, but the terminology making it into the code could suggest an imminent launch.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That’s looks-maxxing terminology for becoming really, really hot.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plus, the star sat for an interview about all things Hannah with Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper, chatted with parents Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, and recalled everything from Taylor Swift’s cameo in the Hannah Montana movie to touring with The Jonas Brothers.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This is the same pair who were just chatting in the crew mess.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the proposal was full of cartoonishly goofy faux spy talk.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Pakistan said Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will send top diplomats to Islamabad for talks aimed at ending the war, arriving Sunday for a two-day visit.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Human communication with honeyguides in northern Mozambique occurs in local dialects.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The gambit that Shelley somehow comes to possess her fictional creation is sustained, as Ida alternates between a very American dialect and a more high-toned British accent.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whilst most Fortune 500 Europe companies have not officially stated that English is a necessity, it’s almost assumed that at the C-Suite or senior level, individuals can converse in English.—
Aslesha Mehta,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Set on a remote Scottish island, the film follows siblings Isla (Rankin) and Sandy (O’Rourke), who spend their days hunting birds, conversing with mythical beings, and fiercely fending off outsiders.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The fact that the same software enabled such a range of idiosyncratic styles decisively undermines any claim of a causal relationship between Gehry’s digital tools and his formal vocabulary.—
Julian Rose,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
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Ehrlich’s contributions to that vocabulary proved far more durable than his predictions.—
Brian C. Keegan,
The Conversation,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The second time around, the glass rattled as Ovechkin made contact with York, and the crowd at Capital One Arena noticed.—
Bailey Johnson,
Washington Post,
1 Apr. 2026
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Since strikes began in February, Iran has blocked tanker traffic through the strait, sending global energy prices surging and rattling financial markets.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patter. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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