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

• couple
• few
• handful
• scatter
• scattering
• smatter
• sprinkle
• sprinkling

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

During the 1980s, the 1990s, and the first decade of this century, the country experienced a smattering of domestic terrorist incidents—most famously the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City. —Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024

But in November, the 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled here, as well as in a smattering of other high schools in Oakland and Berkeley, will be the first ever in the state to vote in an election. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024

Before long though, the actor started booking lead roles in a smattering of box-office hits—eventually leading him to the famous role of superspy Ethan Hunt in 1996’s reboot of Mission: Impossible. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 9 Aug. 2024

Forks and a smattering of tiny coastal communities — set off by themselves down a long and winding two-lane road — lean to the right. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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