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

On the menu: smashburgers, french fries, tater tots, milkshakes (traditional and boozy), floats, phosphate sodas, and a smattering of specialty cocktails, beer and wine. —David Hudnall updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025

Both egg rolls were perfectly chewy and fried to a crisp, coating my hands in a healthy smattering of grease. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Along with the Giants fans rising to their feet, a smattering of Red Sox fans saluted their former star. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 21 June 2025

Maye’s Blue team took a 47-38 loss to the White team headlined by backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs and a smattering of defensive starters. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 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