pattered

Made soft taps

Pattered is the past tense of patter, meaning to make a rapid succession of light tapping sounds: Rain pattered against the window.

The word suggests gentle, rhythmic percussion—feet pattered across the floor, hail pattered on the roof.

It evokes quickness and lightness rather than force.

rain

drizzle

Very light precipitation

sprinkleLight scattering of particles
dropletsMinute liquid globules
rainfallWater falling from clouds

shower · mist · spatter · spray · trickle · splatter · precipitation · dampen · wetness · dew

rhythm

beat

Rhythmic pulse or strike

cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
pulseArterial blood throb
tempoRate of musical performance

staccato · tapping · drumming · rapping · tattoo · syncopation · meter · sequence · repetition · percussion

footsteps

tiptoe

Walk on foot-fronts

scurryHurried small-stepped motion
shuffleRandomize by mixing
scamperQuick, light-footed dash

tread · creep · sneak · padding · barefoot · toddler · children · scuttle · light-footed · hallway

Opposites

sound intensity/volume

patteredthundered

Made deep rumbling sound

boomed · roared · crashed · pounded · hammered

motion/activity state

patteredstopped

Brought to a halt

ceased · halted · stilled · silenced · quieted

rhythmic quality

patteredthudded

Struck with low sound

stomped · tromped · plodded · trudged · lumbered

Phrases

rain patterSound of falling droplets

Family

patter, pattering, patters

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G