pitter-patter

American  

[pit-er-pat-er] / ˈpɪt ərˈpæt ər /

noun

1. the sound of a rapid succession of light beats or taps, as of rain, footsteps, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to produce or move with this sound.

   She pitter-pattered along the hallway.

adverb

1. with such a sound.

   to run pitter-patter through the house.

pitter-patter British  

/ ˈpɪtəˌpætə /

noun

1. the sound of light rapid taps or pats, as of raindrops

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verb

1. (intr) to make such a sound

adverb

1. with such a sound

   the rain fell pitter-patter on the window

Etymology

Origin of pitter-patter

1400–50; late Middle English: a babbled prayer; perhaps imitative

Example Sentences

After greeting students, chasing a football around, "attacking" shoelaces and tights, and exploring parts of the school she has never seen before, the pitter-patter of puppy paws slows down.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

“We would wake to the pitter-patter of little feet in the middle of the night,” Groonwald recalls, saying that the experience taught her two lessons.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2023

In their hotel room, the gentle pitter-patter of monsoon rains on the roof set the stage for a week of romance — away from the heat and grime of the city.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2023

Obviously modest in quantity, Saturday’s pitter-patter in Washington may also have escaped widespread notice for another reason.

From Washington Post • Apr. 9, 2022

When I was learning to walk, soon as I took my first pitter-patter, Darryl probably pushed me.

From "Sunny" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• sneak
• traipse