pet
1any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite: He was the teacher's pet.
a thing particularly cherished.
kept or treated as a pet: a pet lamb.
especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
favorite; most preferred: a pet theory.
showing fondness or affection: to address someone with pet words.
to fondle or caress: to pet a dog.
to treat as a pet; indulge.
Informal. to engage in kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity with one’s partner, but not sexual intercourse.
Origin of pet
1Other words for pet
Other words from pet
- pet·ta·ble, adjective
Other definitions for pet (2 of 5)
a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.
to be peevish; sulk.
Origin of pet
2Other definitions for PET (3 of 5)
Origin of PET
3Other definitions for pet. (4 of 5)
petroleum.
Other definitions for Pet. (5 of 5)
Peter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pet in a sentence
Owing to its popularity as a pet, it has spread across the Pacific to China.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma | Brendon Hong | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen I was the December Penthouse pet, which is a huge honor.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex | Aurora Snow | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis season is all about monitoring posture, scrutinizing sun exposure, even exploring the health of a pet.
When POTUS asked Malia if she wanted to pet the turkey before he granted its reprieve, she responded appropriately: “Nah.”
As he describes why he plans to spend the rest of his days in Kisangani, a pet parrot gnaws on his Rolex.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis | Nina Strochlic | November 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When he gets quite large the boy will get tired of having him for a pet, and perhaps bring him back.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumNow and then the boy who had bought Squinty, and who was taking him home, would look around at his pet in the slatted box.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumThe boy lifted up his pet, and put him back in the pen that had been especially built for the little pig.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumAfter a little while Yung Pak got used to these "monkey shines," and he knew that his pet would not stay away long after mealtime.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeYou can see that it is five o'clock, because Big God Nqong's pet tame clock says so.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling
British Dictionary definitions for pet (1 of 4)
/ (pɛt) /
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
a person who is fondly indulged; favourite: teacher's pet
kept as a pet: a pet dog
of or for pet animals: pet food
particularly cherished; favourite: a pet theory; a pet hatred
familiar or affectionate: a pet name
pet day Scot and Irish a single fine day during a period of bad weather
(tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper
(tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)
(intr) informal (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting)
Origin of pet
1Derived forms of pet
- petter, noun
British Dictionary definitions for pet (2 of 4)
/ (pɛt) /
a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique
(intr) to take offence; sulk
Origin of pet
2British Dictionary definitions for PET (3 of 4)
positron emission tomography
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
British Dictionary definitions for Pet. (4 of 4)
/ Bible /
Peter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pet
In addition to the idiom beginning with pet
- pet peeve
also see:
- teacher's pet
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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