smattering

/ˈsmætərɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsmætərɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsma-tə-riŋ/ (ame, mw)

smattering — noun

  • smatteringsingular
  • smatteringsplural

1. an amount or number that is noticeably small, often smaller than what was expect

1.名詞B2
釋義

an amount or number that is noticeably small, often smaller than what was expected or hoped for

例句

Only a smattering of residents came to the town hall meeting about the new library hours.

collocation: a smattering of [people/attendees]

The film received a smattering of positive reviews but failed to attract a wide audience.

同義詞
  • handful

    more neutral and less literary than smattering, common in everyday speech

  • sprinkling

    suggests thin distribution across a surface or area rather than insufficiency

  • dash

    emphasizes a small, quick addition; used more for substances than countable items

  • scattering

    evokes items spread out physically, like people in a large empty room

反義詞
  • abundance

    a large quantity that is more than enough

  • crowd

    a large number of people gathered together

文法句型

a smattering of + plural noun

用法筆記

Always takes the form 'a smattering of + noun.' Frequently preceded by 'only a' or 'a mere' to emphasize how small the amount is. The noun following 'of' is typically plural and countable (guests, reviews, complaints).

常見錯誤

❌A smattering of hundreds of people attended.
✅Only a smattering of people attended
💡about a dozen.' — Smattering describes a small number, so it cannot describe large quantities.

2. slight knowledge of a subject, gained through casual exposure rather than seriou

2.名詞B2
釋義

slight knowledge of a subject, gained through casual exposure rather than serious study, and not deep enough to be considered real expertise

例句

After a year in Seoul, Kenji had picked up a smattering of Korean, enough to order food and greet people.

collocation: pick up a smattering of [language]

The article showed only a smattering of understanding about the complex economic issues in the region.

同義詞
  • rudiments

    focuses on the most basic elements or starting points of a subject

  • basics

    more neutral and common; may imply a foundation to build on rather than surface-level only

  • nodding acquaintance

    idiomatic; suggests barely enough familiarity to recognize the subject

  • dabble

    often used as a verb; implies trying something briefly without commitment

反義詞
  • mastery

    complete and expert knowledge of a subject

  • expertise

    specialized skill or deep knowledge gained through training

文法句型

a smattering of + [language/subject]

have a smattering of + [topic]

用法筆記

This sense always pairs with 'of' followed by an area of knowledge (a language, a subject, a skill). Unlike sense 1, the noun after 'of' is abstract or uncountable (French, history, economics), not countable items. Often used with 'pick up' to describe casually acquiring shallow knowledge.

常見錯誤

❌She has a smattering of Japanese, so she was hired as a professional translator.
✅She has a smattering of Japanese, enough to say hello and read basic signs.
💡A smattering of a language is very basic and insufficient for professional-level tasks.