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 of smattering

• 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

Despite its smattering of electoral victories a few weeks ago, the Democratic Party has two problems that threaten its long-term viability. —Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2025

The main floor showcases leather goods, along with smatterings of rtw, cueing up the full breadth of the Saint Laurent product universe, which also includes jewelry, high-end home objects, eyewear and fragrances. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 18 Nov. 2025

But the backdrop alone, along with the smattering of pros in the audience, gives my nerves a jolt. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

By the fourth quarter, only a smattering of fans remain in the stands at Canvas Stadium as this season goes further down the tubes. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 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