smattering

noun

smat·​ter·​ing ˈsma-tə-riŋ 

1

: superficial piecemeal knowledge

a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying

—Alva Johnston

2

: a small scattered number or amount

a smattering of spectators

Synonyms

• handful
• couple
• few

Examples of smattering in a Sentence

She only knows a smattering of German.

a smattering of guests at the art exhibit

Recent Examples on the Web

And there was a smattering of other items, which the visitor, fancying himself an amateur academic archeologist, thought worth noting. —Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Before satellite measurements, researchers relied on estimates and data from a smattering of air and ground-based sensors. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 Sep. 2025

The box contained a smattering of items, including ammunition, building materials, four cell phones and handwritten letters. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Temperate weather brought out a range of cross-seasonal fashion trends, from tweed ensembles to colorful floral frocks, with a smattering of geometric prints and the occasional leopard print. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for smattering

• battering
• chattering
• clattering
• flattering
• pattering
• scattering
• shattering
• spattering
• backscattering
• unflattering

Kids Definition

smattering

noun

smat·​ter·​ing ˈsmat-ə-riŋ 

1

: a small amount of knowledge

a smattering of French

2

: a small scattered number