TOP

Definition of scatter verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

scatter

verb
 
/ˈskætə(r)/
 
/ˈskætər/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they scatter
 
/ˈskætə(r)/
 
/ˈskætər/
he / she / it scatters
 
/ˈskætəz/
 
/ˈskætərz/
past simple scattered
 
/ˈskætəd/
 
/ˈskætərd/
past participle scattered
 
/ˈskætəd/
 
/ˈskætərd/
-ing form scattering
 
/ˈskætərɪŋ/
 
/ˈskætərɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. [transitive] to throw or drop things in different directions so that they cover an area of ground
    • scatter something They scattered his ashes at sea.
    • scatter something on/over/around something Scatter the grass seed over the lawn.
    • He banged his fist on the table and the chess pieces scattered over the floor.
    • scatter something with something Scatter the lawn with grass seed.
  2. [intransitive, transitive] to move or to make people or animals move very quickly in different directions synonym disperse
    • At the first gunshot, the crowd scattered.
    • The mice scattered when I entered the room.
    • scatter somebody/something The explosion scattered a flock of birds roosting in the trees.
  3. Word OriginMiddle English (as a verb): probably a variant of shatter.
See scatter in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee scatter in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
trait
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 5000
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day