Definition of scatter
transitive verb
1a : to cause to separate widelyb : to cause to vanish
2 archaic : to fling away heedlessly : squander
3 : to distribute irregularly
4 : to sow by casting in all directions : strew
5a : to reflect irregularly and diffuselyb : to cause (a beam of radiation) to diffuse or disperse
6 : to divide into ineffectual small portions
intransitive verb
1 : to separate and go in various directions : disperse
2 : to occur or fall irregularly or at random
People Are Reading
Examples of scatter in a Sentence
The wind scattered the pile of leaves.
The marbles scattered across the floor.
She scattered the books on the table.
He scatters his toys all around the house.
Recent Examples of scatter from the Web
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There was one more way to break in: Fill the tube with bits of bark that had been scattered on the floor.
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Millions upon millions of seeds and spores are produced and scattered, broadcast by the air and by animals in order that a few plants may find their niche and grow.
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Today, people walking or biking along Fourth Street just north of Churchill Downs often stop to gawk at the dozen colorful macaws scattered about the lot.
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What makes Porto Heli unique, and perhaps singular, is the combination of high-end properties, like Amanzoe and Nikki Beach; scattered mid-range beach hotels; and villa rentals.
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Gift cards and other items were reported taken, but later found scattered along a street a few blocks away.
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The grass is beginning to top out in some areas, but scattered grass remains most productive for largemouths.
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There are more than 500 works of art scattered around 150 of Chicago's municipal buildings, CTA stations and parks, with almost 40 on the lakefront alone.
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Nabra was walking back to her mosque from a nearby McDonald's with a group of up to 15 friends when Martinez Torres, who was driving by, reportedly had an argument with one of the teens and then drove over the curb to scatter the crowd.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scatter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of scatter
Middle English scateren, schateren to disperse, break up, destroy; akin to Middle Dutch schaderen to scatter
Synonym Discussion of scatter
scatter
Definition of scatter
1 : the act of scattering
2 : a small quantity or number irregularly distributed or strewn about : scattering
3 : the state or extent of being scattered; especially : dispersion
Examples of scatter in a Sentence
played before only a scatter of spectators in that huge stadium
Recent Examples of scatter from the Web
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As the fish scatter into the colder water of the river arm, Wedding Rings tipped with a piece of nightcrawler behind a dodger or blue/chrome Kastmasters will do the trick for trollers.
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Seven legislative weeks are left before Congress scatters for the five-week August recess.
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The Royals scored two more runs in the seventh via a scatter-shot rally against the Tampa Bay bullpen.
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In debates and jury trials, doubts like this scatter like seeds.
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Behind them, sparks from a metal grinder scatter like furious fireflies, plasma-cut trees rise up against a wall, and big metal lanterns sit ready to be plumbed for propane.
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Glass scatters everywhere, and within seconds, a police car pulls up.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scatter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of scatter
1642
SCATTER Defined for English Language Learners
scatter
playDefinition of scatter for English Language Learners
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: to cause (things or people) to separate and go in different directions
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: to separate and go in different directions
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: to place or leave (things) in different places
scatter
Definition of scatter for English Language Learners
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: a small number or group of things placed or found apart from each other
SCATTER Defined for Kids
scatter
playDefinition of scatter for Students
scattered
;scattering
1 : to toss, sow, or place here and there He scattered his toys all around the house.
2 : to separate or cause to separate and go in different ways The crowd suddenly scattered.
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of scatter
: to cause (a beam of radiation) to diffuse or disperse
scatter
Medical Definition of scatter
1: the act of scattering
2: the state or extent of being scattered; especially : scattering
Learn More about scatter
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See words that rhyme with scatter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scatter Spanish Central: Translation of scatter Nglish: Translation of scatter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scatter for Arabic speakers
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