patter

Rain on glass

Patter is rapid, glib speech—the smooth talk of salespeople, magicians, or auctioneers designed to entertain or persuade: The magician kept up a steady patter while performing the trick.

The word also describes quick, light sounds in succession: the patter of rain on the roof, the patter of little feet.

These are separate words that have converged on the same spelling.

chatter

babble

Incoherent speech

  • jabberTalk rapidly, incoherently
  • gabbleRapid, muddled talk
  • natterLight, aimless conversation

blather · ramble · small talk · chitchat · banter · gossip · schmooze · yak · tittle-tattle · confab

rain

drizzle

Very light precipitation

tap · tinkle · rooftop · windowpane · puddle · droplets · shower · mist · tin roof · awning

rhythm

beat

Rhythmic pulse or strike

  • cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
  • tempoRate of musical performance
  • pulseArterial blood throb

syncopation · staccato · rapid · drumming · repetition · tattoo · rat-a-tat · percussion · timing · regularity

footsteps

tiptoe

Walk on foot-fronts

barefoot · hallway · tread · children · mice · padding · floorboard · creep · running · toddler

Categories
Opposites
sound presence

pattersilence

Total lack of sound

quiet · stillness · dead silence · hush · soundlessness

sound weight/intensity

patterthunder

Storm's acoustic aftermath

boom · crash · thud · pound · roar

speech style

patterstammering

Involuntary speech repetition

hesitation · stumbling · silence · slow speech · halting speech

Phrases
Family

pattern, spatter, pattering, patters, pattered

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G