[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/patter/)

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# patter

noun (patter, the patter of); verb (patter, patters, pattered, pattering)

«patter» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A quick, light, tapping sound, like rain or small feet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#m1)
2. (verb) To make that sound or move with quick light steps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#m2)
3. Fast, clever talk used by a salesperson, comedian or magician. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#m3)
4. (Scotland, informal) Chat and jokes: «He's got great patter.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories «the patter of rain» or «the patter of tiny feet» helps the reader hear the scene. In everyday life and safety, a salesman's patter can trick you into buying. Phrases: the patter of rain, the patter of tiny feet, sales patter.

### Examples

- I love the patter of rain on the roof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x1)
- We heard the patter of the cat's paws. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x2)
- Little feet pattered down the hall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x3)
- The magician's patter kept us laughing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x4)
- Don't be fooled by the salesman's patter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x5)
- My uncle in Glasgow has great patter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x6)
- In a few minutes they heard the pattering of tiny feet, and many of the small gray mice came running up to her. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: pattered. Do not confuse with «pattern» or «potter». Uncountable as «talk».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «patter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/patter/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«patter» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/patter.html) on Mova free.