C1adjective10K+

Scattered

UK /["/ˈskætəd/"]/US /["/ˈskætərd/"]/

Definition

spread far apart over a wide area or over a long period of time

In simple words: Spread out irregularly; not in one place.

Examples

  • a few scattered settlements
  • sunshine with scattered showers
  • Her family are scattered around the world.

Usage notes

Used to describe things that are not together or organized. It's neutral and suitable for both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'scatter' like throwing seeds everywhere; they end up all over the place.

Collocations

  • be
  • lie
  • find something
  • liberally
  • randomly
  • thinly
  • about
  • across
  • along

Synonyms

  • dispersed
  • spread
  • disbanded
  • diffused
  • distributed

Antonyms

  • collected
  • organized
  • gathered

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'shattered' — they have different meanings.
  • Using as a verb instead of an adjective — 'scattered' is only an adjective.
  • Misplacing the stress in pronunciation, saying it like 'sca-ttered'.