Smattering: meaning, definitions and examples
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smattering
[ ˈsmætərɪŋ ]
small amount
A smattering refers to a small, superficial, or scattered amount of something. It is often used to describe a limited knowledge or understanding of a subject, indicating that the person has only a basic familiarity without deep comprehension. The term can also apply to physical things, suggesting a sparse distribution. People might use 'smattering' to express both the quantity and the quality of knowledge or interest, illustrating a minimalistic approach.
Synonyms
bit, dash, scattering, sprinkle.
Examples of usage
- She has a smattering of French.
- He only has a smattering of information on the topic.
- The garden had a smattering of colorful flowers.
Translations
Translations of the word "smattering" in other languages:
🇵🇹 conhecimento superficial
- fragmento
- pouco
🇮🇳 हल्का ज्ञान
🇩🇪 oberflächliches Wissen
- Bruchstück
- wenig
🇮🇩 pengetahuan dangkal
🇺🇦 поверхневе знання
- частка
- трохи
🇵🇱 powierzchowna wiedza
- fragment
- trochę
🇯🇵 浅い知識
🇫🇷 connaissance superficielle
- fragment
- peu
🇪🇸 conocimiento superficial
- fragmento
- poco
🇹🇷 yüzeysel bilgi
- parça
- az
🇰🇷 피상적인 지식
- 조각
- 조금
🇸🇦 معرفة سطحية
- جزء
- قليل
🇨🇿 povrchní znalost
- fragment
- málo
🇸🇰 povrchné vedomosti
- fragment
- málo
🇨🇳 肤浅的知识
- 片段
- 少量
🇸🇮 površno znanje
- fragment
- malo
🇮🇸 yfirborðskennt þekking
- brot
- lítið
🇰🇿 беттік білім
- фрагмент
- аз
🇬🇪 ზედაპირული ცოდნა
- ნაწილი
- ცოტა
🇦🇿 səthi bilik
- parça
- az
🇲🇽 conocimiento superficial
- fragmento
- poco
Etymology
The word 'smattering' originated from the early 19th century, derived from the verb 'smatter,' which means to speak or write in a casual or superficial manner. The verb itself has roots in Middle Low German 'smatteren,' meaning 'to speak carelessly,' or Old Norse 'smatta,' meaning 'to make a noise.' Initially, it referred to a small amount of something, particularly knowledge, that was not deeply rooted. Over time, 'smattering' has evolved to describe not just knowledge, but also a scattering or sprinkling of various items or concepts. This term paints a picture of something that is present in a light or insubstantial way, embodying the idea of a little being mixed with a lot, often conveying a sense of misconception about depth.