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

Couches and chairs were arranged in a circle with a smattering of throw rugs at the center. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

Some hardcore thrash here, some R&B there, a smattering of rap over there. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2025

Diane von Furstenberg, Stephen Jones, Zac Posen, Victoire de Castellane and Camille Miceli were among designers who attended the requiem mass, along with a smattering of Brynner’s famous friends, including opera singer Plácido Domingo and motor racing legend Jackie Stewart. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 June 2025

Rosemary Rose, open to the public later this June, shows off 360-degree panorama of Charleston alongside its smattering of small plates and cocktails. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 3 June 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