1
as in chatter
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this
their patter could be heard down the hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field
the patter of highbrow criticism that one hears in fashionable art galleries
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to chat
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
the toddler pattered on for what seemed like hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of patter
Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
To keep the patter more punchy, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also swung by for a bit to watch PSG, one of Beckham’s old clubs, eventually beat the Gunners.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
In the run-up to evening events, the hotel’s long hallways had the vibe of a college dorm, with barefoot teens pattering from room to room.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Noun
After some patter from the hype man, Greg Gutfeld came out and read MAGA-dad jokes off a teleprompter, and teed up his four guests: a comedian named Michael Loftus, the anarchist troll Michael Malice, the former MTV v.j. Kennedy, and Cobb, who wore a Chicago Blackhawks hockey jersey.
—Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
To keep the patter more punchy, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also swung by for a bit to watch PSG, one of Beckham’s old clubs, eventually beat the Gunners.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Verb
One of the most impressive aspects is a mix of its seasonal and weather systems, with spring buds, fall colors and blanketing snow, mixed with high winds and rainstorms pattering drops on my DualSense controller.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
In the run-up to evening events, the hotel’s long hallways had the vibe of a college dorm, with barefoot teens pattering from room to room.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patter
Noun
-
There was a lot of chatter about taxes and changes to the tax system for colleges.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Both players are near the top of their respective positions, but there was a lot of chatter regarding Fitzpatrick.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Over time, the confusing terminology—agentic AI, agent AI, generative AI—will fade.—
Shaz Khan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Five other experts that Popular Science corresponded with for this article all agree on this ‘crisis’ terminology.—
Lauren Leffer,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
The Drake Equation, created in 1961 by astronomer Frake Drake, is a way researchers guesstimate how many alien civilizations might be chatting out there in the Milky Way.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
On the outing, the couple was photographed walking together side-by-side, chatting and smiling.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Those who didn’t make it to the summer festival will find year-round programming that includes pop-up performances, artist talks, and classes.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
-
Inside the 2026 Program Our full program will include feature films, episodic projects, and short films — welcoming 90-plus features and 50-plus shorts in 2026 — as well as our annual Beyond Film series, which showcases talks and events with some of the most compelling artists and many more.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
In it, Italian peasants Matteo and Natale discuss this same cosmic occurrence in the rustic Paduan dialect of the time.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 July 2025
-
Around the table, his family speak the local dialect of the Veneto region.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
On Saturday, the protesters clad in Mexico jerseys and waving Mexican, Salvadoran and Honduran flags chanted and conversed mostly in English.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Daboll was conversing at length with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen during Wednesday’s practice, overseeing an individual defensive backs drill and reviewing their plan for the upcoming 7-on-7 periods.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
During the Cold War, popular culture provided Americans with images of (and a vocabulary for) nuclear war.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
-
Babbel isn’t like those free apps that flood you with random vocabulary.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
On a recent evening visit, Miller was rattled by the call of coyotes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
The tariff threats have rattled Brazil's exporters.—
Carrie Kahn,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patter. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share