any 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.
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
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)
informal (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )
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.
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; see petty
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; cf. pettish
First recorded in 1975–80
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.”
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Marc von Grundherr, director of agency Benham and Reeves, said some tenants have only disclosed a pet after signing their tenancy agreement, while others have been discovered during property inspections.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Some evacuees have brought their cats and dogs with them, and bags of pet food and cat litter have been made available.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
He smiled after I busted him for looking, which made me recoil in horror and quickly dart over to hide in the pet food aisle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
A family once tried to sneak a pet parrot into the buffet, tucking it into a wagon next to their small child.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
And I seriously doubt there’s a pet turtle waiting by the door for him.
From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko
Factories that would normally delay payment started putting down cash upfront "because they were so eager to secure material", said Rizq Yousif, who mainly recycles PET, the plastic widely used in beverage and food packaging.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
“There are still contracts that are being fulfilled, and they’re usually quarterly or monthly,” said Sally Houghton, executive director of the PET Recycling Corporation of California.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
Published in Nature Communications, the research combines evidence from mice and humans, including brain tissue analysis and so-called PET scanning.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 11, 2026
Apart from bottled water and beverages, PET packaging is also used extensively in industries like beauty, pharmaceuticals and even in restaurants and food delivery as customers seek out convenience and affordability.
From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2026
But I’d had a total body PET scan on the first night in the hospital, they told me, and the news was good: no tumor growth.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
"People really need to know what they are letting themselves in for before buying an exotic pet. Come and speak to people like us, or staff at zoos - find out what it entails."
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2025
“Or cuddling with your pet. Service and volunteerism can also be a joy.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
"People see friends as lonely or wanting companionship, and they recommend getting a pet. But it's unlikely that it'll be as transformative as people think."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 10, 2023
“These are not reasonable loans, the terms are predatory, in some cases doubling the cost of the pet. That’s absurd.”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 30, 2022
“So you traded an Italian villa and wine for a crumbling Cotswold and an illegal lab pet. You’re not very good at trades, are you, Lily?”
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
We want the reader to open his Bible and read I Pet. ii.
From The Assembly of God Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, volume III by Mackintosh, C. (Charles) H. (Henry)
The same form occurs in 2 Pet. i.
From Supernatural Religion, Vol. III. (of III) An Inquiry into the Reality of Divine Revelation by Cassels, Walter Richard
Then the whole Scriptures of God must yet be better proved, because the unstable do wrest them, as Peter speaks, 2 Pet. iii.
From The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) by Gillespie, George
All the commands that we have for suffering, are either to direct the manner of it, that it be patiently and cheerfully, when forced to it wrongfully, 1 Pet. ii.
From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Shields, Alexander
The fulfilment is shown by 1 Pet. ii.
From Christology of the Old Testament: And a Commentary on the Messianic Predictions. Vol. 2 by Hengstenberg, Ernst Wilhelm
He spent a full minute sniffing my legs and shoes, after coming up to Viana to be petted.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Attendees wearing cowboy hats line danced, petted fluffy white calves and posed for pictures in front of an inflated cactus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026
The pair shook hands with members of the public, accepted gifts and flowers, and also petted a few dogs beside some delighted owners.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2025
In 1922, one of the earliest studies to emphasize the benefits of touch found that rats who were infrequently touched were more timid and high-strung than those who were petted.
From Salon ● Jan. 20, 2023
Grover, in confusion, wags his tail and lifts his head to be petted.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
After building many homes in the Houston suburbs, Lorenzo Salgado finally built his own, where he would sit every evening after work, listening to music and petting his dog, Ronaldo Salgado said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
Capybaras occasionally wander into the café, though petting them isn’t allowed.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Following last year's outbreak, PHW has issued a warning to people who are preparing for outings to farms and petting attractions this spring.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
Companies offer tests, supplements and guidance—like petting zoos and dirt piles—with the promise of improving infants’ health.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
She keeps petting Jane Kitty and doesn’t look up at me.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
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.
