smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsma-tə-riŋ 
1
: superficial piecemeal knowledge
a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying—
Alva Johnston
Alva Johnston2
: a small scattered number or amount
a smattering of spectators
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
Tonight another smattering of protestors assembled in front of the Palais.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 May 2025
There has been some blowback from associates, a handful of partners, a smattering of corporate clients, the ABA, law school faculty, and the profession at large to the relenting firms.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
The rules also apply to a smattering of other policies ranging for guidelines under which the department buys oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nondiscrimination requirements for grant recipients.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 12 May 2025
The strapless ensemble hugged her curves and showed off her smattering of arm tattoos.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 7 May 2025
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Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 May 2025
There has been some blowback from associates, a handful of partners, a smattering of corporate clients, the ABA, law school faculty, and the profession at large to the relenting firms.
—Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
The rules also apply to a smattering of other policies ranging for guidelines under which the department buys oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nondiscrimination requirements for grant recipients.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 12 May 2025
The strapless ensemble hugged her curves and showed off her smattering of arm tattoos.
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smattering
noun
smat·ter·ing
ˈsmat-ə-riŋ
1
: a small amount of knowledge
a smattering of French
2
: a small scattered number
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