scattered
Americanadjective
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distributed or occurring at widely spaced and usually irregular intervals.
scattered villages; scattered showers.
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dispersed; disorganized.
scattered forces.
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distracted or disorganized.
scattered thoughts.
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Meteorology. (of clouds) covering up to one-half of the sky.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scattered
Explanation
When things are scattered, they’re spread out all over the place. If the forecast calls for scattered showers, it’ll rain here and there. Items lying at random intervals and at some distance from each other can be described as scattered. Your birthday cake might be scattered with sprinkles, and the floor of your little sister's room might be scattered with Lego blocks. Another meaning of scattered is "messy" or "disordered" — you can describe yourself as scattered if you're feeling disorganized and confused. The word scatter is probably related to shatter, "break into pieces," from a Middle English root.
Vocabulary lists containing scattered
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At Claire’s, Goad runs a brand team that is scattered throughout the globe.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
Even now, most of her lyrics exist as scattered notes and unfinished scribbles.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
Oil prices have been relatively stable in recent weeks, though still sharply elevated, as the Persian Gulf cease-fire has largely held despite scattered missile and drone attacks.
From MarketWatch • May 10, 2026
But farmers argue the technique provides lower yields, and that scattered recent rainfall has rendered it impossible in some fields anyway.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
The words scattered, then reformed, and the same word flashed.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
