What does scatter mean?
Scatter means to spread, throw, or distribute something so that its pieces or particles become separated across an area. It also describes people or animals moving away in different directions, as in “the children scattered when the bell rang.” The word can imply deliberate distribution, as when a gardener scatters seeds, but it can also describe an uncontrolled dispersal caused by wind, impact, or sudden movement. In figurative use, “scatter” often suggests separation or the breaking up of a group. A related noun, “a scatter,” means a small, dispersed quantity of something. In statistics, “a scatter plot” is a graph that displays the relationship between two variables through individual points. Overall, scatter conveys the movement or distribution of something away from a central point, whether literal or metaphorical.
To throw or spread something so that its parts are separated over a wide area, or to move away in different directions.
"The dog scattered the birds across the field."
The verb can describe deliberate distribution, accidental dispersal, or the sudden movement of a group.
A small quantity of something dispersed over an area.
"A scatter of snow remained on the grass."
This use is usually countable and often appears in phrases such as “a scatter of people” or “a scatter of crumbs.”
The plural is used for separate small quantities or groups distributed over an area.
"Small scatters of flowers appeared along the roadside."
From the Old English word for breaking something apart, “scatter” grew to describe both spreading objects around and sending people in different directions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of scatter
The verb comes from Old English sceatteren, meaning “to break up” or “disperse.” It belongs to a Germanic family of words connected with scattering, shaking, or breaking apart, and is related to English “shatter.” The noun meaning “a small dispersed quantity” developed later from the verb.
Related word forms
How scatter is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal contexts. In the figurative sense, it can suggest people or things becoming dispersed, often with the additional implication that they are isolated or difficult to gather. “Scatter” is also used in technical contexts such as statistics and physics.