smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsma-tə-riŋ 
1
: superficial piecemeal knowledge
… a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying …—
Alva Johnston
Alva Johnston2
: a small scattered number or amount
a smattering of spectators
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
While his options include both LIV and the PGA Tour, DeChambeau has spoken multiple times about the possibility of primarily playing YouTube golf and a smattering of major gold events.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 7 May 2026
But across the country, families—first in smatterings, now in droves—are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot.
—Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
But across the country, families — first in smatterings, now in droves — are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 6 May 2026
For a day out with her dad, Scott Swift, on Monday, April 27, the 36-year-old superstar accessorized her blue and white pinstripe midi dress from Nordstrom with a smattering of diamond and opal jewelry.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
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Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 7 May 2026
But across the country, families—first in smatterings, now in droves—are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot.
—Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026
But across the country, families — first in smatterings, now in droves — are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot.
—Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 6 May 2026
For a day out with her dad, Scott Swift, on Monday, April 27, the 36-year-old superstar accessorized her blue and white pinstripe midi dress from Nordstrom with a smattering of diamond and opal jewelry.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsmat-ə-riŋ
1
: a small amount of knowledge
a smattering of French
2
: a small scattered number
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