smattering

noun

smat·​ter·​ing ˈsma-tə-riŋ How to pronounce smattering (audio)
Synonyms of smatteringnext
1
: superficial piecemeal knowledge
… a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying …—Alva Johnston
2
: a small scattered number or amount
a smattering of spectators

Synonyms of smattering

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Examples of smattering in a Sentence

She only knows a smattering of German. a smattering of guests at the art exhibit
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most other fixtures, as ever in a preseason opener, were in for a smattering of plays. — Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026 Rather than the usual infotainment screen and a smattering of controls, this one has two columns of physical buttons with leather accents, and AC vents that echo the arrangement of the tailpipes out the back. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026 France had already been liberated, but Royan was said to be the site of a smattering of Third Reich dead-enders. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 Others hardly qualify as towns at all, just a smattering of buildings on some gravel road since displaced by a bigger, faster, more serviceable highway. — Téa Obreht, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smattering

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smattering was in 1538

Rhymes for smattering

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Browse Nearby Words

smatterer
smattering
smattery
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Cite this Entry

“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

smattering

noun
smat·​ter·​ing ˈsmat-ə-riŋ How to pronounce smattering (audio)
1
: a small amount of knowledge
a smattering of French
2
: a small scattered number

More from Merriam-Webster on smattering

Nglish: Translation of smattering for Spanish Speakers

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