pitter-patter
Light quick tapping
Pitter-patter captures the sound of light, rapid taps—raindrops on a window, small feet running across a floor, or a heart beating quickly with excitement or nervousness.
The reduplicative form mimics the rhythm it describes.
As a verb, it means to make this sound: Rain pitter-pattered on the roof all night.
The phrase the pitter-patter of little feet is a coy way of referring to children, especially anticipated ones.
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
- tempoRate of musical performance
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
- drummingPercussive rhythm-making
tapping · syncopation · repetition · staccato · percussion · meter · rat-a-tat · tattoo
Very light precipitation
- raindropsIndividual bits of precipitation
- dropletsMinute liquid globules
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
- showersLight, passing rainfalls
downpour · precipitation · puddle · mist · dampness · wetness · rooftop · windowpane
Arterial blood throb
- throbBeat with intensity
- flutterRapid light movement
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- palpitationIrregular heartbeat awareness
racing · quickening · nervous · excitement · anticipation · love · anxiety · chest
cadence
Rhythmic pulse or pattern
- tempoRate of musical performance
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- patternRecurring arrangement or template
drumming · tapping · syncopation · repetition · staccato · percussion · meter · rat-a-tat · tattoo · roll
drizzle
Very light precipitation
- raindropsIndividual bits of precipitation
- dropletsMinute liquid globules
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
showers · downpour · precipitation · puddle · mist · dampness · wetness · rooftop · windowpane · gutter
pulse
Arterial blood throb
palpitation · racing · quickening · nervous · excitement · anticipation · love · anxiety · chest · rhythm
tiptoe
Walk on foot-fronts
tread · shuffle · pad · footfall · scuttle · run · dash · barefoot · hallway · stairs
chatter
Light, rapid speech
rapid · children · toddler · excited · breathless · gossip · small-talk · nattering · gabbing
pitter-pattersilence
Total lack of sound
quiet · stillness · hush · soundlessness · noiselessness
patting, patter, chit-chat, pattering, patters, pattered, pitter