pet
1 of 8noun (1)
ˈpet 
1
a
: a pampered and usually spoiled child
b
: a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
2
: a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
pet
2 of 8adjective
1
: kept or treated as a pet
2
: expressing fondness or endearment
a pet name
3
: favorite
a pet project
pet
3 of 8verb (1)
petted; petting
transitive verb
1
a
: to treat as a pet
b
: to stroke in a gentle or loving manner
2
: to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper
intransitive verb
: to engage in amorous embracing, caressing, and kissing : neck
petter noun
pet
4 of 8noun (2)
: a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger —usually used in the phrase in a pet
resigned in a pet
pet
5 of 8verb (2)
petted; petting
intransitive verb
: to take offense : sulk
pet
6 of 8abbreviation (1)
petroleum
Pet
7 of 8abbreviation (2)
Peter
PET
8 of 8abbreviation (3)
positron-emission tomography
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- darling
- fave
- favorite
- minion
- preference
- speed
Adjective
- beloved
- cherished
- darling
- dear
- fair-haired
- favored
- favorite
- fond
- loved
- precious
- special
- sweet
- white-headed
Verb (1)
- caress
- fondle
- gentle
- love
- pat
- stroke
Noun (2)
- grouch
- hump [British]
- pouts
- snit
- sulk
- sulkiness
- sullenness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective The mayor's pet project has been the construction of a new high school. spent my free time on my pet project
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
perhaps back-formation from Middle English pety small — more at petty
Noun (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
1629, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (2)
1581, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
1629, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing pet
Kids Definition
pet 1 of 3
noun
ˈpet
1
: a tame animal kept as a companion rather than for work
2
: a person who is treated with special kindness or consideration
teacher's pet
pet
2 of 3adjective
1
: kept or treated as a pet
a pet rabbit
2
: showing fondness
a pet name
3
: favorite entry 2
Restoring the old car is my pet project.
pet
3 of 3verb
petted; petting
: to stroke or pat gently or lovingly
Medical Definition
PET
abbreviation
positron-emission tomography
pet 1 of 4
noun (1)
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others the teacher's pet was always getting special privileges Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- favorite
- darling
- minion
- beloved
- preference
- cup of tea
- fave
- speed
- sweetheart
- dear
- treasure
- prize
- jewel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abomination
- bugbear
- anathema
- bête noire
pet
2 of 4noun (2)
as in pouts
a state of resentful silence or irritability the teenager stalked off in a pet after being refused permission to go the movies Synonyms & Similar Words
- pouts
- blues
- dumps
- irritableness
- snit
- sensitivity
- sulk
- irritability
- sulkiness
- fretfulness
- grouch
- sullenness
- hump
- crossness
- pettishness
- peevishness
- mopes
- crotchetiness
- perversity
- disagreeableness
- fantods
- waspishness
- crankiness
- grouchiness
- grumpiness
- irascibleness
- surliness
- biliousness
- dyspepsia
- cantankerousness
- testiness
- irascibility
- surliness
- orneriness
- petulance
- choler
- oversensitiveness
- perverseness
- querulousness
- fussiness
- huffiness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cheerfulness
- gaiety
- friendliness
- sociability
- amenity
- gayety
- gladsomeness
- lightheartedness
- sociality
- perkiness
- geniality
- high-spiritedness
- affability
- pleasantness
- agreeableness
- amicability
- graciousness
- cordiality
- amiability
- amiableness
- good-temperedness
- good-humoredness
- good-naturedness
pet
3 of 4adjective
as in beloved
granted special treatment or attention spent my free time on my pet project Synonyms & Similar Words
- beloved
- loved
- cherished
- favorite
- precious
- darling
- special
- adored
- sweet
- favored
- dear
- fond
- treasured
- white-headed
- fair-haired
- prized
- preferred
- revered
- esteemed
- admired
- appreciated
- relished
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disliked
- detested
- unbeloved
- hated
- despised
- forgotten
- ignored
- abhorred
- abandoned
- unfavorite
- disfavored
- disdained
- abominated
- alienated
- loathed
- execrated
- estranged
pet
4 of 4verb
as in to pat
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner a cat who loves to be petted Synonyms & Similar Words
- pat
- stroke
- caress
- hug
- love
- paw
- cuddle
- gentle
- cradle
- fondle
- baby
- snuggle
- neck
- nuzzle
- bill
- nose
- spoon
- massage
- canoodle
- pamper
- nestle
- feel up
- dandle
- knead
- enfold
- coddle
- bounce
- spoil
- indulge
- embrace
- mollycoddle