Pet Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms pet 1 American [pet] / pɛt /

noun

1. any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.

2. a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.

   He was the teacher's pet.

3. a thing particularly cherished.

adjective

1. kept or treated as a pet.

   a pet lamb.

2. especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.

3. favorite; most preferred.

   a pet theory.

4. showing fondness or affection.

   to address someone with pet words.

verb (used with object)

petted, petting

1. to fondle or caress.

   to pet a dog.

2. to treat as a pet; indulge.

   Synonyms: favor, pamper, humor, baby

verb (used without object)

petted, petting

1. Informal. to engage in kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity with one’s partner, but not sexual intercourse.

pet 2 American [pet] / pɛt /

noun

1. a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.

verb (used without object)

1. to be peevish; sulk.

PET 3 American [pet] / pɛt /

noun

Computers, Medicine/Medical.

1. positron emission tomography.

pet. 4 American

abbreviation

1. petroleum.

Pet. 5 American

abbreviation

1. Peter.

pet 1 British / pɛt /

noun

1. a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc

2. a person who is fondly indulged; favourite

   teacher's pet

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

1. kept as a pet

   a pet dog

2. of or for pet animals

   pet food

3. particularly cherished; favourite

   a pet theory

   a pet hatred

4. familiar or affectionate

   a pet name

5. a single fine day during a period of bad weather

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. (tr) to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper

2. (tr) to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)

3. informal (intr) (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 PET 2 British

abbreviation

1. positron emission tomography

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

acronym

1. potentially exempt transfer: a procedure in the UK whereby gifting property and cash is tax-free, provided that the donor lives for at least seven years after the gift is made

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 pet 3 British / pɛt /

noun

1. a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. (intr) to take offence; sulk

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Pet. 4 British

abbreviation

1. Peter

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 pet Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing pet

• teacher's pet

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.

An animal pet insurance company estimates the average price to have a horse put to sleep by injection in the UK is about £143 - excluding transportation and cremation costs.

From BBC

My dream guy occasionally nudged me to pet him or offer a treat.

From Los Angeles Times

After that, the composer turned his attention to a big band pet project, making ends meet with leftover work scoring German TV shows.

From Los Angeles Times

“Try to complete outdoor activities early in the day or in the evening, and don`t leave people or pets in cars.”

From Los Angeles Times

Taken together, these findings indicate that ultrasonic repellents could potentially be designed so hedgehogs can hear them while humans and pets cannot.*

From Science Daily

Related Words

• caress
• coddle
• cuddle
• fondle
• pamper

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.