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
Synonyms
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 Madrean Sky Islands, a smattering of tall borderlands ranges that rise where the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet, are critical stepping stones for migrating birds and some of America’s rarest mammals, who rely on the forests, springs and prey to survive their journeys.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite the smattering of Democratic support, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York's 8th District, has said elimination of the debt ceiling is a nonstarter.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
And she’s agreed to a smattering of interviews: with Glamour, with The New York Times, and controversially, with the right-wing women’s publication Evie, which featured her on their cover this week.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2024
Walmart has a smattering of good skin care deals at the moment, but the most exciting discounts are in the beauty tools department.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smattering 
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Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite the smattering of Democratic support, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York's 8th District, has said elimination of the debt ceiling is a nonstarter.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
And she’s agreed to a smattering of interviews: with Glamour, with The New York Times, and controversially, with the right-wing women’s publication Evie, which featured her on their cover this week.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2024
Walmart has a smattering of good skin care deals at the moment, but the most exciting discounts are in the beauty tools department.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smattering
Dictionary Entries Near smattering
Cite this Entry
“Smattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smattering. Accessed 18 Jan. 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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