pitter-patter

[ pit-er-pat-er ]

noun

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

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

/ ˈpɪtəˌpætə /

noun

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

verb

1. intr to make such a sound

adverb

1. with such a sound

   the rain fell pitter-patter on the window

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitter-patter¹

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

Example Sentences

Ella started to count to ten, but before she got to five, she heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet and spotted the big black noses of several rotties peeking their heads out from behind columns.

From Literature

Overhead, satin-and-glue pointed toes pitter-patter across stage in a performance of the holiday favorite.

From Seattle Times

“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

The show’s soundtrack and the décor are usually distinctly ’80s, but the pitter-patter of David and Maddie’s bickering and the creativity of the mysteries are timeless.

From New York Times

A noise jolts you awake, and you hear the pitter-patter of tiny, scurrying feet.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sneak
• traipse