smattering

1 of 2

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

smattering

2 of 2

present participle of smatter entry 1

Synonyms of smattering

Noun

• handful
• couple
• few

Examples of smattering in a Sentence

Noun

She only knows a smattering of German.

a smattering of guests at the art exhibit

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sammy Hadi, chief meteorologist at NWS Miami, said his office has issued a smattering of street flood advisories and flash flood warning in the last week, including a flash flood warning Wednesday morning in Broward. — Alex Harris updated September 23, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Esparza is endorsed by the California Democratic Party, the California Federation of Labor Unions, plus a smattering of other labor unions and Democrat leaders, per his campaign website. — Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Stalter wore a gold bra and matching hot pants with a smattering of gold jewelry. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Kirk was working in events management, alongside a smattering of other jobs, when her goals for Peterborough United and celebration GIF began to go viral online. — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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