Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rat-a-tat
onomatopoeia
/ˈrætəˌtæt/
Definition
A rapid succession of sharp, quick sounds, typically used to describe a knocking or tapping noise.
Examples
- The rat-a-tat of the rain on the roof was soothing as I fell asleep.
- He could hear the rat-a-tat of the soldier’s gun in the distance.
- She knocked on the door with a rat-a-tat that echoed through the hallway.
Meaning
The term ‘rat-a-tat’ imitates the sound made by something striking hard and repeatedly, often used to convey the noise of knocking on a door or a gunfire.
Synonyms
- Knock
- Rap
- Thump
