smattering

[smat-er-ing]

See more synonyms for smattering on Thesaurus.com

noun

a slight, superficial, or introductory knowledge of something: a smattering of Latin.

adjective

slight or superficial.

Origin of smattering

First recorded in 1530–40; smatter + -ing¹, -ing²

Related formssmat·ter·ing·ly, adverb

smatter

[smat-er]

verb (used with object)

to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding.
to dabble in.

noun

slight or superficial knowledge; smattering.

Origin of smatter

1300–50; Middle English; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian smadre to splash, swash, Swedish smattra to clatter, rattle; compare Middle Low German smetern to chatter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for smattering

modicum, smidgen, little, basics, bit, smidge, elements, tad

Examples from the Web for smattering

Contemporary Examples of smattering

The long crypt tunnels into a hillside, only visible by a smattering of skylights peeking up between graves.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard
Nina Strochlic
October 23, 2014
There was a smattering of clean-cut sensation seekers and a few actual Hindus as well.
Patted Down by India’s Hugging Saint
Daniel Genis
July 20, 2014
“I will be here in August 2014,” he thundered to a smattering of laughs and applause.
Rick Perry Can’t Quit Campaigning
David Catanese
December 4, 2013
For the non-greenhorn, though, there is fun to be had in the smattering of fearless, at times audacious, assertions.
John Sutherland‘s Enjoyable Little History of Literature
Malcolm Forbes
November 29, 2013
“There were a smattering of reactions,” Hoyt told The Daily Beast.
When Synthetic Pot Kills
Abby Haglage
November 21, 2013

Historical Examples of smattering

He had a smattering of most things, this uncle, especially the vocabularies.
The Golden Age
Kenneth Grahame
I had, therefore, only a smattering knowledge of the theory of this duty.
War from the Inside
Frederick L. (Frederick Lyman) Hitchcock
Then, again, he must have a smattering of French, and affect to be above old England.
The English Spy
Bernard Blackmantle
A smattering of English Literature, and less than a smattering of French.
The Longest Journey
E. M. Forster
To buy them wisely, a smattering of their history is a requisite.
The Tapestry Book
Helen Churchill Candee

British Dictionary definitions for smattering

smattering

noun

a slight or superficial knowledge
a small amount

Derived Formssmatteringly, adverb

smatter

noun

a smattering

verb

(intr) rare to prattle
(tr) archaic to dabble in

Derived Formssmatterer, noun

Word Origin for smatter

C14 (in the sense: to prattle): of uncertain origin; compare Middle High German smetern to gossip

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for smattering

"a slight or superficial knowledge," 1530s, verbal noun from smatter (v.).

smatter

early 15c., "talk idly, chatter; talk ignorantly or superficially," of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative. Similar forms are found in Middle High German smetern "to chatter" and Swedish smattra "to patter, rattle," and cf. Danish snaddre "chatter, jabber," Dutch snateren, German schnattern "cackle, chatter, prattle." Related: Smattered; smattering.