smattering

American  

[smat-er-ing] / ˈsmæt ər ɪŋ /

noun

1. a slight, superficial, or introductory knowledge of something.

   a smattering of Latin.

2. a small amount or number.

   She’s written a smattering of poetry.

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adjective

1. slight or superficial.

smattering British  

/ ˈsmætərɪŋ /

noun

1. a slight or superficial knowledge

2. a small amount

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Other Word Forms

• smatteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of smattering

First recorded in 1530–40; smatter + -ing ¹ ( def. ).

Example Sentences

The run-up has seen none of the feverish public rallies that Suu Kyi could command, with just a smattering of low-key events.

From Barron's

The smattering of small earthquakes in Southern California generated significant, not altogether unwarranted, attention last year.

From Los Angeles Times

Focus will center on a smattering of U.S. data releases, particularly GDP, as investors gauge the performance of the U.S. economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

An AFP team in Longnan saw rows of large rare earths processing plants in an industrial district adjacent to that dense smattering of extraction sites.

From Barron's

As of early December, his holdings included a smattering of popular Big Tech names — Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• modicum
• smidgen