# scattering

/ˈskætɝɪŋ/ (US) · /skˈætəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scattering
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a small amount spread out

noun · CEFR B2

a small number of things or people spread out in different places.

For teachers: a small, sparse quantity or number of something distributed at random points over an area.

- There was a scattering of houses along the coast, but no real town.
- A light scattering of snow covered the driveway, barely enough to hide the gravel but sufficient to make the surface slippery.

### 2. physics/optics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the way light, sound, or tiny particles bounce off things and spread in different directions.

For teachers: the process in which a beam of waves or particles is deflected or dispersed by collisions or interactions with a medium.

- The scattering of sunlight in the atmosphere is what makes the sky look blue.
- The experiment measured the elastic scattering of neutrons as they passed through the thin metal foil.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in scientific contexts.

### 3. election votes

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · American English

a few votes given to people who are not the main candidates in an election.

For teachers: the total number of votes awarded to minor, non-major, or unlisted candidates in an election.

- The final results showed a scattering of votes for independent candidates.
- Beyond the two primary contenders, there was a scattering of write-in votes that had no statistical impact on the final outcome.

## Examples

- There is a scattering of houses on the hillside.
- The blue color of the sky is caused by the scattering of sunlight by the atmosphere.
- The researcher noted a thin scattering of artifacts across the site, suggesting that the settlement was likely temporary rather than a permanent village.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.