noun
smithereens
smih-thuh-REENZ
Smithereens (noun) means Small scattered fragments, especially from something broken violently. Example: “The vase fell and shattered into smithereens.”
noun
1
Small scattered fragments, especially from something broken violently.
"The vase fell and shattered into smithereens."
"The old shed was blown to smithereens in the storm."
How to use smithereens
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTiny broken pieces, always used to describe something totally shattered.
Common pairings
blown to smithereens
smashed to smithereens
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Word forms
- Singular
- smithereen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vase fell and shattered into _____.
Etymology
Likely from Irish smidiríní, "small fragments," though the exact path into English is uncertain.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for smithereens
See all rhymes for 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.
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