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patter

9 synonyms for patter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A quick series of light, repeated sounds, like rain hitting a roof or feet running on pavement.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pitter-patter drumming spiel spatter

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A quick series of light, repeated sounds, like rain hitting a roof or feet running on pavement.

“The patter of rain on the tent kept them awake half the night.”

2. verb

To make a series of quick, light tapping sounds.

“Raindrops pattered against the window all evening.”

How to use patter

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

patter of rain sales patter comic patter

Etymology

From pat plus -er, indicating a repeated action; ultimately imitative of the sound itself.

Full origin of patter →

Frequently asked questions

What does “patter” mean?
The word “patter” means a quick series of light, repeated sounds, like rain hitting a roof or feet running on pavement. In plain terms, a quick series of light tapping sounds, or rapid, glib talk meant to persuade or entertain.
How do you pronounce “patter”?
“Patter” is pronounced PAT-uh (/ˈpæt.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “patter” in a sentence?
Here is “patter” used in a sentence: “The patter of rain on the tent kept them awake half the night.”
What part of speech is “patter”?
Depending on how it is used, “patter” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “patter” have?
“Patter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a quick series of light, repeated sounds, like rain hitting a roof or feet running on pavement.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.