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

In a particularly Ethan Hunt-ish twist, the actor wears a rubbery disguise—a potbellied suit, a scraggly gray comb-over, and a smattering of old-guy makeup. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Along the way, there are a smattering of sea days, typically bunched together in two- or three-day chunks. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2026

Though most non-Italian titles screening in Rome have previously surfaced on the festival circuit, the lineup does include a smattering of world premieres. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

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

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