ENGLISH
REFERENCE

littered

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫɪtɝd// UK //lˈɪtəd// lit·tered

adj. filled or covered with a large amount of something, usually things that are messy or unwanted.

adj. containing or covered with a large number of items scattered in a messy or random fashion. Often used with the preposition 'with' to describe a surface or a text containing many instances of something.


SIMPLE

The park was littered with plastic bottles after the concert.

CONTEXTUAL

The student's essay was littered with spelling mistakes, making it very difficult for the teacher to grade.

COMPLEX

The history of the region is littered with failed attempts at peace, each one collapsing under the weight of ancient grievances and modern political pressure.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem' and is followed by the preposition 'with'.

Pitfall

The floor was littered of papers.The floor was littered with papers.The adjective 'littered' collocations with the preposition 'with', not 'of'.

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