pitter-patter

American  

[pit-er-pat-er] / ˈpɪt ərˈpæt ər /

noun

1. the sound of a rapid succession of light beats or taps, as of rain, footsteps, etc.

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verb (used without object)

pitter-patters, present (3rd person singular) pitter-pattered, past participle, past pitter-pattering present participle

1. to produce or move with this sound.

   She pitter-pattered along the hallway.

adverb

1. with such a sound.

   to run pitter-patter through the house.

pitter-patter British  

/ ˈpɪtəˌpætə /

noun

1. the sound of light rapid taps or pats, as of raindrops

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verb

1. (intr) to make such a sound

adverb

1. with such a sound

   the rain fell pitter-patter on the window

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• pitter-pattering
  present
• pitter-pattered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• pitter-patter
  simple
• pitter-patters
  simple
• have pitter-pattered
  perfect
• has pitter-pattered
  perfect
• are pitter-pattering
  progressive
• am pitter-pattering
  progressive
• is pitter-pattering
  progressive
• have been pitter-pattering
  perfect progressive
• has been pitter-pattering
  perfect progressive

Past

• pitter-pattered
  simple
• had pitter-pattered
  perfect
• was pitter-pattering
  progressive
• were pitter-pattering
  progressive
• had been pitter-pattering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will pitter-patter
  simple
• will have pitter-pattered
  perfect
• will be pitter-pattering
  progressive
• will have been pitter-pattering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of pitter-patter

1400–50; late Middle English: a babbled prayer; perhaps imitative

Example Sentences

Overhead, satin-and-glue pointed toes pitter-patter across stage in a performance of the holiday favorite.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2023

The show’s soundtrack and the décor are usually distinctly ’80s, but the pitter-patter of David and Maddie’s bickering and the creativity of the mysteries are timeless.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Zookeeper Rosie Owen said: "It's so lovely to once again hear the pitter-patter of tiny, spotty and stripy Malayan tapir feet."

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2022

The predictability of this place calms me: the salty air, the sounds of rushing waves, the pitter-patter of the runners, seagulls chirping and the wind dancing on the sand.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2022

And then there was a pitter-patter of feet, and Stephanie crawled into bed and they sort of slept the rest of the night under the robe that smelled like Daddy.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• sneak
• traipse