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Glite Dictionary
smattering

smattering

14 7.5
A small amount of knowledge about something that is not deep
  • noun
  • /ˈsmætərɪŋ/
translation icon : noción
  • After a smattering of applause, the speaker continued with her presentation.
  • only a smattering

Now what happens is you often do get a smattering of genuine anti-Semitic bigots.

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Examples

  • Both went to public schools and have been exposed to the typical smattering of science.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Hardly anyone spoke with a burr; fewer still knew more than a smattering of Gaelic.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Today we have a smattering of questions.

    Dr. Mayim Bialik

  • Some of them had been men with a smattering of science.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Charlotte knew at least a smattering of history in the matter.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • A light smattering of applause for poetry.

    Lying and Stealing (2019)

  • We served the food graciously and received a smattering of compliments.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Russian, German, Italian, Spanish, French, a little Swahili and a smattering of Hindi.

    Leviathan (1989)

  • The valley was mostly rice fields and a smattering of homes, with rickshaws or wagons occasionally clattering between them.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • She has only a smattering of knowledge about classical music, but she enjoys listening to it.

Synonyms

little bit
vssmattering
∞ 1.0

A small amount of something

leans toward a slight or superficial understanding rather than only quantity
a touch of
vssmattering
66 2.3

A small amount of something added to improve or change it

focuses more on having a small amount of knowledge rather than just a hint
smidge
vssmattering
  • Informal
14 7.9

A very small amount of something

often denotes slight knowledge or limited familiarity rather than merely tiny measure
smidgen
vssmattering
  • Informal
9 7.3

A very small amount, like a tiny bit of salt

can mean a small amount of knowledge rather than only a minute physical amount
sprinkling
vssmattering
5 2.5

A small amount of something spread over an area, for example herbs or snow

relates to amount or knowledge rather than a scattered physical spread
glimmering
vssmattering
2 6.3

A small sign that something may be true

implies a small amount of actual knowledge rather than only a vague hint

Antonyms

expertise
302 4.9

Special skill or knowledge in one area, for example law

abundance
91 3.3

A large amount of something, more than you need

How Much

abundance
91 3.3
amount
∞ 1.0
handful
81 1.0
smattering
14 7.5
trace
492 3.3

Surface Forms

smattering singular
smatterings plural

Morphology

smattering = smatter (semi-transparent) = smatter + ing

Formed regularly from the verb 'smatter' with '-ing', but 'smatter' is a rare verb and the noun's sense 'a small amount' is somewhat idiomatic.

Etymology

A helpful way to remember smattering is to think of a small 'scatter' of facts, like a light scatter of bits you pick up here and there. So, a smattering means a small amount of knowledge that is not deep.