smattering

noun

smat·​ter·​ing ˈsma-tə-riŋ How to pronounce smattering (audio)
1
: superficial piecemeal knowledge
a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklayingAlva Johnston
2
: 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
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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smattering was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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

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