smatter

1 of 2

verb

smat·​ter ˈsma-tər How to pronounce smatter (audio)
smattered; smattering; smatters

intransitive verb

: to talk superficially : babble

transitive verb

1
: to speak with spotty or superficial knowledge
smatters French
2
: to dabble in
smatterer noun

smatter

2 of 2

noun

: smattering
a smatter of applause

Examples of smatter in a Sentence

Noun we received only a smatter of complaints about the book
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Another version is dotted with oily little pepperoni cups and smattered with hot honey: simple and satisfying. Kara Baskin, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2023 Glover’s patchwork ethos is smattered across its seven installments. WIRED, 17 Mar. 2023 Lee is also now taking a smattering reps at first base as expected entering the spring. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 17 Mar. 2023 The movie is smattered with deep focus cinematography, led by the director of photography Jomo Fray. Omar Sanchez, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2020 During the class, remember to look out at the trees, to the sculptures smattered throughout, to the family of deer that will surely be grazing ahead. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2018 There are eight venues smattered across the small, green city: pre-war Art Nouveau buildings, relics of Soviet modernism, the train station at seaside resort town Jurmala. Laura Bannister, Vogue, 17 June 2018 Who’s listening At UCF’s rehearsal hall, the crowd of 50 or so is smattered throughout the seats watching the New Music Ensemble perform pieces written by students. Trevor Fraser, OrlandoSentinel.com, 27 Apr. 2018 Groping blindly, European and especially British explorers began trying to map this seascape beginning in the late 1500s – leading to a series of small advances, smattered with setbacks and tragedies, over centuries. Chris Mooney, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Dec. 2017
Noun
As part of the show, the Design Museum invited artists to create new clock faces; there is also a smatter of Chicago clock history, and recently included, remarkably, the original wooden hands from the Wrigley Building’s clock face, located by Samuelson on eBay. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2022 Outside a car wash where two people died, a smatter of small bloodstains can still be seen on the white exterior wall. Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2019 The apartment is immaculate—done up in charcoal and silver, with gilded accents and a tasteful smatter of lucite. Mattie Kahn, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English smateren to make dirty, talk idly

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smatter was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near smatter

Cite this Entry

“Smatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smatter. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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