patter
1 of 4verb (1)
pat·ter ˈpa-tər 
pattered; pattering; patters
transitive verb
: to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner
intransitive verb
1
: to recite prayers (such as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically
2
: to talk glibly and volubly
3
: to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance
patterer
ˈpa-tər-ər
noun patter
2 of 4noun (1)
1
: a specialized lingo : cant
especially : the jargon of criminals (such as thieves)
2
: the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker
3
: empty chattering talk
4
a(1)
: the rapid-fire talk of a comedian
(2)
: the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine
b
: the words of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usually humorous monologue introduced into such a song
patter
3 of 4verb (2)
pattered; pattering; patters
intransitive verb
1
: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly
2
: to run with quick light-sounding steps
transitive verb
: to cause to patter
patter
4 of 4noun (2)
: a quick succession of light sounds or pats
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- babble
- blab
- cackle
- chaffer [British]
- chat
- chatter
- chin [slang]
- converse
- gab
- gabble
- gas
- jabber
- jaw
- kibitz
- kibbitz
- natter
- palaver
- prate
- prattle
- rap
- rattle
- run on
- schmooze
- shmooze
- talk
- visit
Noun (1)
- backchat
- cackle
- causerie
- chat
- chatter
- chin music
- chin-wag [slang]
- chitchat
- confab
- confabulation
- gab
- gabfest
- gossip
- jangle
- jaw
- natter [chiefly British]
- palaver
- rap
- schmooze
- small talk
- table talk
- talk
- tête-à-tête
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English patren, from paternoster
Verb (2)
frequentative of pat entry 3
First Known Use
Verb (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun (1)
1758, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (2)
1822, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing patter
Kids Definition
patter 1 of 2
verb
pat·ter ˈpa-tər
pattered; pattering
1
: to strike again and again with light blows
We could hear rain pattering on the roof.
2
: to run with quick light steps
patter
2 of 2noun
: a series of quick light sounds
We heard the patter of little feet.
pattering
verb
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation the toddler pattered on for what seemed like hours Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- chatting
- talking
- chattering
- conversing
- rattling
- nattering
- prating
- jabbering
- gabbling
- babbling
- cackling
- gabbing
- prattling
- rapping
- twittering
- chaffering
- palavering
- jawing
- blabbing
- kibitzing
- schmoozing
- gassing
- blowing smoke
- chinning
- discussing
- gossiping
- running on
- kibbitzing
- chewing the rag
- expatiating
- visiting
- talking a blue streak
- shooting the breeze
- shmoozing
- descanting
- chewing the fat
- yapping
- tattling
- yammering
- yakking
- yacking
