smithereens
2 synonyms for smithereens, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Small scattered fragments, especially from something broken violently.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use smithereens
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
blown to smithereens
smashed to smithereens
Etymology
Likely from Irish smidiríní, "small fragments," though the exact path into English is uncertain.
Full origin of smithereens →Frequently asked questions
What does “smithereens” mean?
The word “smithereens” means small scattered fragments, especially from something broken violently. In plain terms, tiny broken pieces, always used to describe something totally shattered.
How do you pronounce “smithereens”?
“Smithereens” is pronounced smih-thuh-REENZ (/ˌsmɪðəˈɹinz/ in IPA).
How do you use “smithereens” in a sentence?
Here is “smithereens” used in a sentence: “The vase fell and shattered into smithereens.”
What part of speech is “smithereens”?
“Smithereens” is a noun.
Where does the word “smithereens” come from?
The word “smithereens” comes from Irish. Likely from Irish smidiríní, "small fragments," though the exact path into English is uncertain.
