smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsma-tə-riŋ 
1
: superficial piecemeal knowledge
a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying—
Alva Johnston
Alva Johnston2
: a small scattered number or amount
a smattering of spectators
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
Yet still, people live there–mostly in a smattering of coastal cities and towns.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Feb. 2025
Investors pointed to a smattering of reasons behind the market’s sell-off in addition to Walmart’s 6.5% dip, including lingering inflationary concerns and declines in shares of Palantir.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Because beloved barbecue pop-up, Joe’s Holy Smoke BBQ, now has its very own home at 1515 Lee Road in Orlando, a space most recently occupied (with a smattering of Alanis Morrisette-style irony) by Cupid’s Hot Dogs.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Try the North Carolina flounder — the secret to its hearty crunch is nama panko, which stays crispy to lock in flavor — with a simple green salad with zingy ginger dressing, rice topped with a smattering of furikake and even a dollop of potato salad, harkening back to Perry’s Southern roots.
—Jenny Hartley, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
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Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Feb. 2025
Investors pointed to a smattering of reasons behind the market’s sell-off in addition to Walmart’s 6.5% dip, including lingering inflationary concerns and declines in shares of Palantir.
—Brian Evans,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Because beloved barbecue pop-up, Joe’s Holy Smoke BBQ, now has its very own home at 1515 Lee Road in Orlando, a space most recently occupied (with a smattering of Alanis Morrisette-style irony) by Cupid’s Hot Dogs.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025
Try the North Carolina flounder — the secret to its hearty crunch is nama panko, which stays crispy to lock in flavor — with a simple green salad with zingy ginger dressing, rice topped with a smattering of furikake and even a dollop of potato salad, harkening back to Perry’s Southern roots.
—Jenny Hartley, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsmat-ə-riŋ
1
: a small amount of knowledge
a smattering of French
2
: a small scattered number
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