patter

¹ American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to make a rapid succession of light taps.

   Raindrops patter on the windowpane.

   Synonyms:

   pelt, rap, beat, pat

2. to move or walk lightly or quickly.

   The child pattered across the room.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to patter.

2. to spatter with something.

noun

1. a rapid succession of light tapping sounds.

   the steady patter of rain on the tin roof.

2. the act of pattering.

patter ² American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

noun

1. meaningless, rapid talk; mere chatter; gabble.

2. the usually glib and rapid speech or talk used by a magician while performing, a barker at a circus or sideshow, a comedian or other entertainer, a vendor of questionable wares, or the like; stylized or rehearsed talk used to attract attention, entertain, etc.

3. amusing lines delivered rapidly by an entertainer or performer, as in a comic routine or in a song.

4. the jargon or cant of any class, group, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to talk glibly or rapidly, especially with little regard to meaning; chatter.

2. to repeat a paternoster or other prayer in a rapid, mechanical way.

verb (used with object)

1. to recite or repeat (prayers, verses, etc.) in a rapid, mechanical way.

2. to repeat or say rapidly or glibly.

patter ³ American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that pats. pat.

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patter ¹ British  

/ ˈpætə /

noun

1. the glib rapid speech of comedians, salesmen, etc

2. quick idle talk; chatter

3. the jargon of a particular group; lingo

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verb

1. (intr) to speak glibly and rapidly

2. to repeat (prayers) in a mechanical or perfunctory manner

patter ² British  

/ ˈpætə /

verb

1. (intr) to walk or move with quick soft steps

2. to strike with or make a quick succession of light tapping sounds

3. rare (tr) to cause to patter

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noun

1. a quick succession of light tapping sounds, as of feet

   the patter of mice

Other Word Forms

• paterist noun
• patterer noun

Etymology

Origin of patter¹

First recorded in 1605–15; pat ¹ + -er ⁶

Origin of patter²

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English pateren “to say the paternoster, pray quickly and mechanically”; pater

Origin of patter³

pat ¹ + -er ¹

Explanation

When something patters, it makes a light, rhythmic, tapping sound. On a rainy night, you might love lying in bed listening to the rain patter on the roof. You can describe the way rain patters, or the way children's feet patter down the hallway on Christmas morning. The light, quick sound itself is also a patter: "Listen to the patter of sleet on the window!" Informally, a salesman's pitch can be called patter as well, from an older meaning, "talk rapidly," from pater, "mumble prayers rapidly." The tapping kind of patter has a different root, which it shares with pat.

Example Sentences

Dorenkamp said it all clicked when he found his “filler word,” a tool auctioneers use to maintain their rhythm and smooth out their patter when bidding slows down.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

In 1964, he got a job at the R&B station KSOL, where he brought the Beatles and Rolling Stones into the station’s playlist and showed off his slick patter.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2025

His style was laid back, conversational and a contrast to the highly formatted slick patter of many other DJs.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2024

We banged out meals for a while, Lydia amusing us with her usual patter, Tommy dunking clams and shrimp into hot grease, the usual ebb and flow of a busy kitchen.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2000

The windows here lead out to the garden, and the bead-like patter of rain can be heard against the glass.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• chatter
• monologue
• spiel