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pitty-pat

pitty-pat

1 9.9
In a light, quick way that sounds like small steps or a heartbeat
  • adverb
  • /ˈpɪtiˌpæt/
translation icon : pitter-patter
  • The raindrops fell on the roof with a soft pitty-pat sound, creating a calming rhythm.
  • heart goes pitty-pat
  • goes pitty-pat

Examples

  • As she walked into the room, my heart began to pitty-pat with excitement.

  • Hear my heart going pitty-pat?

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He approached her, and I could hear the pitty-pat of his heart echoing in the silence.

Synonyms

tapping
vspitty-pat
22 1.9

A light repeated sound made by gentle knocks

is lighter and more continuous, resembling quick soft footsteps or heartbeat
pitter
vspitty-pat
8 6.3

A soft, light, repeated sound like rain on a roof

is a bit more rapid and clearly rhythmic like a quick heartbeat
to patter
vspitty-pat
4 4.4

To make quick, light sounds like rain or small feet

focuses more on steady rhythmic repetition rather than general lightness
rat-a-tat
vspitty-pat
1 7.6

A quick series of short, sharp taps like knocking or drumbeats

is softer and lighter in tone, not as staccato or loud
rat-a-tat-tat
vspitty-pat
1 9.0

A series of short, sharp tapping sounds like knocking on a door

is less sharp and more gently rhythmic, like soft quick steps
pit-a-pat
vspitty-pat
1 8.9

In a quick, light, repeated way like a small heartbeat

is the same meaning but appears in a different written form
pitter-patter
vspitty-pat
1 5.6

In a light, quick way like rain on a roof

is slightly broader, also fitting heartbeat-like rhythmic sounds
pitty-patty
vspitty-pat
9.9

In a light, quick, repeated way like raindrops

shares identical sense but is a variant form of the same word

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

38 3.5

A time of complete quiet and no movement that feels calm

How Fast

quickly
1.0
pitty-pat
1 9.9
steadily
129 2.1
slowly
1.0

Surface Forms

pitty-pat positive

Etymology

Pitty-pat is a sound word that copies a quick, light noise, like small feet or raindrops, a kind of 'light, repeated sound'. It is like the common word pitter-patter, so pitty-pat means a soft, rhythmic sound.