smattering

• Nom désignant une petite quantité dispersée ou éparse de quelque chose, ou une connaissance superficielle et fragmentaire d'un sujet.

A noun referring to a small, scattered number or amount of something, or a slight and superficial knowledge of a subject.

1. Small amount or numberB2formal

   A small, often insignificant, quantity or number of something.

   petite quantité

   • There was only a smattering of people at the lecture.
   • He received a smattering of applause after his speech.
   • A smattering of snowflakes fell during the morning.

   Synonymesbitdabfewhandfulhintiotalittlemodicumscatteringscrapsmidgesmidgensprinklingtastetouch

   Antonymesabundancemultitudeplethoraprofusionwealth

2. Superficial knowledgeB2formal

   A slight or superficial understanding of a language or subject.

   connaissance superficielle

   • She has a smattering of French from her travels.
   • He picked up a smattering of coding skills online.
   • His knowledge of history is just a smattering of facts.

   Antonymesexpertisemasteryproficiency

• Verbe désuet signifiant parler de manière futile ou avoir des connaissances superficielles sur un sujet.

An obsolete verb meaning to talk idly or chatter, or to have a superficial knowledge of something.

1. Work amateurishlyC2formalbritish

   To engage in an activity or work in a superficial or unskilled manner.

   bâcler, faire à la va-vite

   • He smatters at painting but never takes lessons.
   • She smatters at carpentry without proper training.
   • They smatter at gardening, producing only a few scraggly plants.

   Synonymesdabblefiddlepottertinkertrifle

2. Talk foolishlyC2formalbritish

   To speak in a trivial, foolish, or nonsensical way.

   Parler sottement

   • Stop smattering and get to the point.
   • He smattered on about his theories without any evidence.
   • The drunk man smattered nonsense to anyone who would listen.

   Synonymesbabbleblatherchatterdrivelgabblegibberjabbermaunderprattletwaddle

3. Speak with superficial knowledgeC2formalbritish

   To talk about a subject with only a slight or superficial understanding.

   parler superficiellement

   • She smatters about philosophy but has never read the classics.
   • He smatters in several languages but is fluent in none.
   • They smatter on politics, repeating headlines without deeper insight.

   Synonymesbabblechattergabblejabberprateprattle