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

• petter noun
• pettable adjective

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

Gorillas are a critically endangered species due to hunting, the exotic pet trade and loss of habitat from logging and mining.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The room is filled with just about every type of consumer product imaginable sent in from clients: chips, shoes, razors, supplements, suitcases, shower heads, toothpaste, pillows printed with the faces of pets.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He says his family's veterinary pharmaceutical company gave him the expertise to start making a product beneficial for pets.

Read more on Barron's

One Washington, D.C., user on Rover.com wrote in her profile that she is furloughed and can “take care of your pet while the government is shut down.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Jack was born two years later and they were soon joined by pet dog, Luna.

Read more on BBC

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.