pet

¹

[pet]

noun

1. any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.

2. a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.

   He was the teacher's pet.

3. a thing particularly cherished.

adjective

1. kept or treated as a pet.

   a pet lamb.

2. especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.

3. favorite; most preferred.

   a pet theory.

4. showing fondness or affection.

   to address someone with pet words.

verb (used with object)

petted, petting 

1. to fondle or caress.

   to pet a dog.

2. to treat as a pet; indulge.

   Synonyms: favor, pamper, humor, baby

verb (used without object)

petted, petting 

1. Informal.,  to engage in kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity with one’s partner, but not sexual intercourse.

pet

²

[pet]

noun

1. a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.

verb (used without object)

1. to be peevish; sulk.

PET

³

[pet]

noun

Computers, Medicine/Medical.

1. positron emission tomography.

pet.

⁴

abbreviation

1. petroleum.

Pet.

⁵

abbreviation

1. Peter.

pet

¹

/ pɛt /

noun

1. a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc

2. a person who is fondly indulged; favourite

   teacher's pet

adjective

1. kept as a pet

   a pet dog

2. of or for pet animals

   pet food

3. particularly cherished; favourite

   a pet theory

   a pet hatred

4. familiar or affectionate

   a pet name

5. a single fine day during a period of bad weather

verb

1. (tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper

2. (tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)

3. informal,  (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )

PET

²

abbreviation

1. positron emission tomography

acronym

1. potentially exempt transfer: a procedure in the UK whereby gifting property and cash is tax-free, provided that the donor lives for at least seven years after the gift is made

pet

³

/ pɛt /

noun

1. a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique

verb

1. (intr) to take offence; sulk

Pet.

⁴

abbreviation

1. Peter

Other Word Forms

• pettable adjective
• petter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pet¹

First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; petty

Origin of pet²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; pettish

Origin of pet³

First recorded in 1975–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of pet¹

C16: origin unknown

Origin of pet²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

• teacher's pet

Example Sentences

The team relied on the Dog Aging Project, a long-term community science initiative in which owners provide yearly updates on their pets' diet, lifestyle, health, and living conditions.

Read more on Science Daily

Your household pet probably could have worked that out.

Read more on MarketWatch

Chewy, a pet supplies retailer, topped Forrester’s Customer Experience Index for a fourth year in a row, with a score of 80.3 out of 100.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They could also donate non-food items, such as toiletries, household essentials and pet food.

Read more on BBC

Rescued gobblers and hens roamed while visitors to the six-acre spread were able to pet and feed them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• caress 
• coddle 
• cuddle 
• fondle 
• pamper 

When To Use

What does pet mean?

A pet is any animal that is tamed and trained to be kept as a companion, such as a dog or a bird.To pet means to stroke or rub an animal’s fur or body in a cherished way.A pet can also be a person or object that someone cherishes or indulges.Finally, pet can describe something that is cherished, such as a pet theory.Example: She is so extravagant that she has a big birthday party for her pet dog every year.