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Definition of smithereen

smithereen

/ˌsmɪð.əˈriːn/
smith · er · een
Plural:smithereens
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smithereen Lexical Profile

smithereen Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small broken piece or splinter resulting from something being violently shattered (almost always used in the plural).

Example

"The antique porcelain vase slipped from the shelf and shattered into smithereens on the tile floor."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for smithereen
Antonyms
View all antonyms for smithereen

Word Nuance & Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form "smithereens," especially after the preposition "to" or "into" with verbs of destruction such as "smash" or "blow."

• Rhymes for smithereen

• Nearby Words

smishing
smite
smith
smithereen
smithereens
smithers
smithiantha

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 18th century from Irish smidirín, a diminutive of smiodar meaning "fragment."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Smithereen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/smithereen
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