pitter-patter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a rapid succession of light tapping sounds, especially footsteps or raindrops

   The pitter-patter of rain continued against the attic window.

2. 2
   verb

   to make a rapid series of light tapping sounds

   Small feet pitter-patter across the hallway every morning.

An expressive reduplication of patter, with alternating vowels imitating a repeated light beat. It is attested from the nineteenth century as both a sound-word and a verb.

Topics