verb

scatter

SKA-tuh

verb

To cause to separate and move in different directions.

"The pigeons scattered when the dog ran into the square."

"Papers scattered across the floor when the wind blew through the window."

To spread something loosely over an area.

"She scattered seeds across the flower bed."

How to Use Scatter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo spread out in different directions, or to sprinkle something loosely.

Common pairings

scatter seeds crowd scattered scattered debris

scattered past tense, scatters plural, scatters singular

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The pigeons _____ when the dog ran into the square.

From Middle English scateren, likely a variant of "shatter," and possibly ultimately imitative in origin.

matter batter hatter latter patter shatter flatter chatter clatter spatter platter squatter