smattering

[ smat-er-ing ]

/ ˈsmæt ər ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR smattering ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

adjective

slight or superficial.

Words nearby smattering

smashed, smasher, smashing, smatch, smatter, smattering, smatv, smaze, smd, sme, smear

Origin of smattering

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

OTHER WORDS FROM smattering

smat·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for smattering (2 of 2)

smatter

[ smat-er ]

/ ˈsmæt ər /

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

“There were a smattering of reactions,” Hoyt told The Daily Beast.
When Synthetic Pot Kills|Abby Haglage|November 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A raw high school graduate with a smattering of technique will not do.
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa, Canada June 26-July 2, 1912|Various
The increased difficulty in teaching science owing to the modern ignorance of even a smattering of Greek is becoming grotesque.
Pioneers of Science|Oliver Lodge
This man had a smattering of both those ideas, and was—is—bringing up his daughter on principles impossible to classify.
A Book of Bryn Mawr Stories|Marian T. MacIntosh
A smattering of English Literature, and less than a smattering of French.
The Longest Journey|E. M. Forster
An engineer, he speaks a smattering of eleven languages, and can turn his hand to anything.
Forty Thousand Miles Over Land and Water|Lady (Ethel Gwendoline [Moffatt]) Vincent

British Dictionary definitions for smattering (1 of 2)

smattering

/ (ˈsmætərɪŋ) /

noun

a slight or superficial knowledge

a small amount

Derived forms of smattering

smatteringly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for smattering (2 of 2)

smatter

/ (ˈsmætə) /

noun

a smattering

verb

(intr) rare to prattle

(tr) archaic to dabble in

Derived forms of smatter

smatterer, 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

smattering

noun

adjective

Content related to smattering

Words related to smattering

Words nearby smattering

Origin of smattering

OTHER WORDS FROM smattering

Definition for smattering (2 of 2)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of smatter

Examples from the Web for smattering

British Dictionary definitions for smattering (1 of 2)

noun

Derived forms of smattering

British Dictionary definitions for smattering (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Derived forms of smatter

Word Origin for smatter