noun
Uncommon
scattering
SKA-tuh-rihng
Scattering (noun) means a small, irregularly spread amount of something. Example: “There was a scattering of applause after his speech.”
noun
1
A small, irregularly spread amount of something.
"There was a scattering of applause after his speech."
2
The physical process by which waves or particles are deflected after collisions.
"The blue of the sky comes from the scattering of sunlight in the atmosphere."
How to use scattering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, spread-out amount, or the physics process of particles/waves being deflected.
Common pairings
scattering of light
a scattering of people
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Word forms
- Plural
- scatterings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was a _____ of applause after his speech.
Related words
Rhymes for scattering
peering
tapering
lowering
covering
offering
entering
altering
cheering
steering
uttering
ordering
towering
See all rhymes for scattering →
Frequently asked questions
What does “scattering” mean?
The word “scattering” means a small, irregularly spread amount of something. In plain terms, a small, spread-out amount, or the physics process of particles/waves being deflected.
How do you pronounce “scattering”?
“Scattering” is pronounced SKA-tuh-rihng (/ˈskætəɹɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “scattering” in a sentence?
Here is “scattering” used in a sentence: “There was a scattering of applause after his speech.”
What part of speech is “scattering”?
“Scattering” is a noun.
Is “scattering” a common word?
“Scattering” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “scattering” have?
“Scattering” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, irregularly spread amount of something.