scattered

American  

[skat-erd] / ˈskæt ərd /

adjective

1. distributed or occurring at widely spaced and usually irregular intervals.

   scattered villages; scattered showers.

2. dispersed; disorganized.

   scattered forces.

3. distracted or disorganized.

   scattered thoughts.

4. Meteorology. (of clouds) covering up to one-half of the sky.

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Other Word Forms

• scatteredly adverb
• scatteredness noun
• unscattered adjective
• well-scattered adjective

Etymology

Origin of scattered

scatter + -ed ²

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.

Example Sentences

You can even listen to the same station with friends and family who are geographically scattered.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

With G&T, dinners showcase Dorset’s homegrown ingredients at their best: delicate hand-dived scallops from Lyme Bay, organic salads scattered with edible flowers, puddings as light as cherry blossoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Dry spices scattered into cream taste dusty; spices warmed in fat become aromatic, expansive.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

Photos released by state media showed the wreckage of a winged craft scattered across the ground alongside grey and blue components that allegedly included cameras.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Sparks shot out, and flaming pieces of debris scattered across the floor.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• intermittent
• isolated
• occasional
• sporadic