pet
1 Americannoun
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any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
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a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.
He was the teacher's pet.
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a thing particularly cherished.
adjective
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kept or treated as a pet.
a pet lamb.
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especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
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favorite; most preferred.
a pet theory.
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showing fondness or affection.
to address someone with pet words.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
abbreviation
abbreviation
noun
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a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
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a person who is fondly indulged; favourite
teacher's pet
adjective
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kept as a pet
a pet dog
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of or for pet animals
pet food
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particularly cherished; favourite
a pet theory
a pet hatred
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familiar or affectionate
a pet name
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a single fine day during a period of bad weather
verb
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(tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper
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(tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)
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informal (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )
abbreviation
acronym
noun
verb
abbreviation
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- pettable adjective
- petter noun
Etymology
Origin of pet1
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; see petty
Origin of pet2
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; cf. pettish
Origin of PET3
First recorded in 1975–80
Explanation
A pet is an animal you keep as a companion, usually in your house. People love to pet, or touch, their pets. A pet is also a favorite. A teacher’s pet is the teacher’s fave student. No barking required. Your pet might be a hamster in a cage or a big dog that sleeps in your bed. Farm animals, like cows and goats, aren't usually considered to be pets, but that’s how the word started. Pet comes from Scottish dialect and used to refer to a favorite animal that got to come live inside, like Wilbur the pig in Charlotte’s Web. Pet is also a creepy form of endearment. When pet is a verb, it means “to stroke or caress.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
WSJ | Buy Side: See our guide to finding budget-friendly pet insurance without compromising on care.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
Abandoning a pet is a misdemeanor in California typically punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail or both.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
Traveling with a pet isn’t for the faint of heart.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
A host of channels cater for the increasing number of pet owners who worry about leaving their dogs at home.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
We tried to make him a pet and move him into the house, as we often do when dogs retire, but he didn’t want that, didn’t want to leave the kennel.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
