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
The evening before the funeral, a smattering of fans somberly lined up to pay their respects to Voletta during a viewing that was open to the public.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
But the broader message — carried mostly by Mexicans, but also by a smattering of Poles, Irish and Chinese — was that immigrants are too integral and large a part of Chicago to be ignored.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Television viewers got their first look at the court this week, and the reaction was mostly negative, although there was a smattering of positive responses.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
But there was a smattering of boos when Jones took a holding penalty in the second period Sunday night that led to Nick Robertson’s power-play goal.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smattering
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Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
But the broader message — carried mostly by Mexicans, but also by a smattering of Poles, Irish and Chinese — was that immigrants are too integral and large a part of Chicago to be ignored.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Television viewers got their first look at the court this week, and the reaction was mostly negative, although there was a smattering of positive responses.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
But there was a smattering of boos when Jones took a holding penalty in the second period Sunday night that led to Nick Robertson’s power-play goal.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 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 21 Mar. 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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