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
Synonyms
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
Instead of pursuing drama, Bush Hager participated in a smattering of other extracurriculars.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Gravity pulled the matter inward while light pushed it outward, and the struggle set off density ripples spreading outward from a smattering of initial dense spots in the soup.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Since then, Huy Fong has relied on a smattering of other chili pepper producers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
The program began about a year ago, joining a smattering of similar initiatives at detention facilities across the country, from Washington to Minnesota to Georgia.
—Alicia Devine, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
The baby gets a smattering of fresh fruits including yellow plums ($7.98 for four), raspberries ($8.99 for a double carton), and pears ($2.30 for three).
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024
The initial data training was done on a widespread basis across the Internet and involved smatterings of this or that along the way.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
In addition to Belgica antarctica, the terrestrial ecosystem is composed of just a handful of small animals like springtails (a type of tiny arthropod), a smattering of microorganisms and low-lying ground cover such as lichen.
—Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024
Why would anybody greenlight a spinoff about a minor character who appeared in a smattering of episodes of two moderately successful series over a period of 14 years?
—Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Gravity pulled the matter inward while light pushed it outward, and the struggle set off density ripples spreading outward from a smattering of initial dense spots in the soup.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Since then, Huy Fong has relied on a smattering of other chili pepper producers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024
The program began about a year ago, joining a smattering of similar initiatives at detention facilities across the country, from Washington to Minnesota to Georgia.
—Alicia Devine, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
The baby gets a smattering of fresh fruits including yellow plums ($7.98 for four), raspberries ($8.99 for a double carton), and pears ($2.30 for three).
—Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024
The initial data training was done on a widespread basis across the Internet and involved smatterings of this or that along the way.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
In addition to Belgica antarctica, the terrestrial ecosystem is composed of just a handful of small animals like springtails (a type of tiny arthropod), a smattering of microorganisms and low-lying ground cover such as lichen.
—Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024
Why would anybody greenlight a spinoff about a minor character who appeared in a smattering of episodes of two moderately successful series over a period of 14 years?
—Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smattering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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