scattered

1. 1
   adjective

   Spread out over a wide area, with gaps and not close together.

   Like seeds thrown by hand that land here and there with spaces between them.

   The scattered toys covered the whole living room floor.

   After the picnic, their things lay scattered across the grass.

   Similardispersed, isolated, sparse

   Oppositeclustered, concentrated, gathered

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Spread around in no clear pattern, as if placed by chance.

   Like raindrops hitting the ground in no set order.

   The scattered freckles on her face had no real pattern.

   His notes looked scattered, jotted down wherever there was space.

   Similarrandom, haphazard, inconsistent, erratic, disorganized

   Oppositeorderly, consistent, uniform, systematic

   Note
3. 3
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of scatter. Use this form when the spreading already happened.

   The wind scattered the leaves across the yard.

   We scattered the crumbs for the birds in the park.

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Describing clouds that cover about a third to half of the sky.

   Like patches of cotton spread across a blue ceiling, with gaps of sky between.

   The forecast promised scattered clouds and plenty of sunshine.

   We expected rain, but the clouds stayed scattered all day.

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Describing rain or storms that hit about a third to half of an area.

   Like rain falling on some streets in town but not on others.

   Scattered showers are expected this afternoon, so bring an umbrella.

   The weekend forecast calls for scattered storms across the region.

   Similarsporadic, patchy, occasional

   Oppositewidespread

   Note

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