past and past participle
Spread things over a wide area, or were spread over a wide area, often by throwing or dropping them.
The wind scattered papers all over the street.
The seeds were scattered across the field.
American English
How to pronounce scattered
verb · adjectiveB1Common word
SKAAderd
/ˈskæ.ɾɚd̚/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of scatter
Spread things over a wide area, or were spread over a wide area, often by throwing or dropping them.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
past and past participle
Moved quickly away from one another in different directions, especially as a group.
The children scattered when the alarm sounded.
The birds had scattered before the storm arrived.
Good to know
This meaning usually describes a group moving apart, not one person simply leaving.
past and past participle
Became or were spread out over an area, with separate people or things in different places.
The stars scattered across the dark sky.
The houses had scattered along the hillside.
adjective
Spread out over an area, with separate people or things in different places.
Scattered villages are visible from the mountain road.
We found scattered leaves beneath the trees.
Useful expressions
to spread or leave things in different places
The children scattered toys around the room.
Related words & forms
The final t doubles before -ed and -ing: scattered, scattering.