pet

[ pet ]

/ pɛt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for pet on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

adjective

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.

verb (used with object), pet·ted, pet·ting.

to fondle or caress: to pet a dog.

to treat as a pet; indulge.

verb (used without object), pet·ted, pet·ting.

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

SYNONYMS FOR pet

9 baby, humor, pamper, favor.

See synonyms for pet on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "EVOKE" VS. "INVOKE"!

Call upon your favorite grammar inspirations to tackle this quiz on the differences and uses of "evoke" and "invoke."

Question 1 of 7

“Evoke” and “invoke” both derive from the same Latin root “vocāre.”

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar Coach

Improve Your Writing

Origin of pet

1500–10; (noun) perhaps back formation from pet lamb cade lamb, shortened variant of petty lamb little lamb (see petty); (v.) derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM pet

pet·ta·ble, adjective

Definition for pet (2 of 5)

pet²

[ pet ]

/ pɛt /

noun

a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.

verb (used without object)

to be peevish; sulk.

Origin of pet

1580–90; origin uncertain; cf. pettish

Definition for pet (3 of 5)

PET

[ pet ]

/ pɛt /

noun Computers, Medicine/Medical.

positron emission tomography.

Origin of PET

First recorded in 1975–80

Definition for pet (4 of 5)

pet.

abbreviation

petroleum.

Definition for pet (5 of 5)

Pet.

abbreviation

Peter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use pet in a sentence

Huggable heatIf your friend constantly talks about getting a dog that will double as a warm cushion in the winter months, but their landlord doesn’t allow pets, gift them the next best thing.
The hottest gifts to buy for the friend who’s always cold|Sandra Gutierrez G.|November 20, 2020|Popular Science
For instance, an animal pet supplies retailer in the USA generated over 1,500 entries in 25 days by holding a hashtag contest.
Harness the power of integrated CRO and social media|Ricky Wang|November 17, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Since 2014, the Capitals have raised more than $500,000 for the nonprofit pet adoption organization Homeward Trails through sales of an annual canine calendar, featuring photos of players posing with dogs in search of forever homes.
Capitals’ 2021 calendar features relatable theme, with players at home during pandemic|Scott Allen|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
By illustrating the suffering that free-roaming house cats cause, he hopes to spark discussion about alternative solutions for reducing the death toll caused by our pets.
These Photos Remind Us Why Conservation Matters - Issue 92: Frontiers|Kevin Berger|November 11, 2020|Nautilus

She noted that many seniors have plenty of disposable income and are looking to throw it around on not just themselves but grandchildren and pets as well.
‘Technology is the new toilet paper’ for seniors facing the pandemic|Jeff|November 11, 2020|Fortune
She actually petted Kate's arm when she met her at a reception last night.
LeBron's Touchy Feely Protocol Breach|Tom Sykes|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her hand tightened on mine and her head fell back upon my shoulder, but she still trembled and I petted her and comforted her.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You think being petted by Michelle Obama and lounging in the Oval Office is enough to make a dog happy?
Sunny’s Debut, Bo’s Bubble, and the Undogly Life of a Presidential Pet|Dr. Patty Khuly|August 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Gilbert was one of those petted individuals who carry the good-will of others by storm.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
She's just been petted at home, and praised and sheltered so much, that she didn't have a chance to show what she really was.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
He was the image of Juana, who secretly petted him extravagantly, although she pretended to like her younger son the better.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
She was a petted beauty, this Rosamond, and being seventeen was both much admired and sought after.
Maid Sally|Harriet A. Cheever
Uncle Peter petted her, and even Miss Grundy had more than once admitted that "she was about as good as young ones would average."
The English Orphans|Mary Jane Holmes

British Dictionary definitions for pet (1 of 4)

pet¹

/ (pɛt) /

noun

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

a person who is fondly indulged; favouriteteacher's pet

adjective

kept as a peta pet dog

of or for pet animalspet food

particularly cherished; favouritea pet theory; a pet hatred

familiar or affectionatea pet name

pet day Scot and Irish a single fine day during a period of bad weather

verb pets, petting or petted

(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)

Derived forms of pet

petter, noun

Word Origin for pet

C16: origin unknown

British Dictionary definitions for pet (2 of 4)

pet²

/ (pɛt) /

noun

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

verb pets, petting or petted

(intr) to take offence; sulk

Word Origin for pet

C16: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for pet (3 of 4)

PET

abbreviation for

positron emission tomography

n acronym for

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)

Pet.

/ Bible /

abbreviation for

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

Medical definitions for pet

PET

abbr.

positron emission tomography

Idioms and Phrases with pet

pet

In addition to the idiom beginning with pet

pet peeve

also see:

teacher's pet

pet

noun

adjective

verb (used with object), pet·ted, pet·ting.

verb (used without object), pet·ted, pet·ting.

SYNONYMS FOR pet

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "EVOKE" VS. "INVOKE"!

Meet Grammar Coach

Meet Grammar Coach

Origin of pet

OTHER WORDS FROM pet

Definition for pet (2 of 5)

noun

verb (used without object)

Origin of pet

Definition for pet (3 of 5)

noun Computers, Medicine/Medical.

Origin of PET

Definition for pet (4 of 5)

abbreviation

Definition for pet (5 of 5)

abbreviation

Words related to pet

How to use pet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pet (1 of 4)

noun

adjective

verb pets, petting or petted

Derived forms of pet

Word Origin for pet

British Dictionary definitions for pet (2 of 4)

noun

verb pets, petting or petted

Word Origin for pet

British Dictionary definitions for pet (3 of 4)

abbreviation for

n acronym for

British Dictionary definitions for pet (4 of 4)

abbreviation for

Medical definitions for pet

abbr.

Idioms and Phrases with pet