pet
1 Americannoun
-
any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
-
a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.
He was the teacher's pet.
-
a thing particularly cherished.
adjective
-
kept or treated as a pet.
a pet lamb.
-
especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
-
favorite; most preferred.
a pet theory.
-
showing fondness or affection.
to address someone with pet words.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
abbreviation
abbreviation
noun
-
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
-
a person who is fondly indulged; favourite
teacher's pet
adjective
-
kept as a pet
a pet dog
-
of or for pet animals
pet food
-
particularly cherished; favourite
a pet theory
a pet hatred
-
familiar or affectionate
a pet name
-
a single fine day during a period of bad weather
verb
-
(tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper
-
(tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)
-
informal (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )
abbreviation
acronym
noun
verb
abbreviation
Usage
What does pet mean? A pet is any animal that is tamed and trained to be kept as a companion, such as a dog or a bird.To pet means to stroke or rub an animal’s fur or body in a cherished way.A pet can also be a person or object that someone cherishes or indulges.Finally, pet can describe something that is cherished, such as a pet theory.Example: She is so extravagant that she has a big birthday party for her pet dog every year.
Other Word Forms
- pettable adjective
- petter noun
Etymology
Origin of pet1
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; petty
Origin of pet2
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; pettish
Origin of PET3
First recorded in 1975–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 35-year-old said her sister's family and pets had to seek shelter in their apartment because they lived close to the Jebel Ali port, where there was "a lot of debris falling".
From BBC
When she begins dating the owner of a local pet shop, Iona immediately falls in step with her yuppie new beau.
From Salon
Cleaning air filters removes dust, pet hair and germs, and — the best part — replacing them is inexpensive and easy.
From MarketWatch
It claimed to have reunited thousands of dogs and other pets with their owners, and was largely funded by donations from the public.
From BBC
He addressed her as “darling,” and later, “sweet pet,” and “sugar plum”; he thought her “loveable.”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
