smithereens

plural noun

smith·er·eens ˌsmi-t͟hə-ˈrēnz How to pronounce smithereens (audio)

: small broken pieces : fragments, bits

the vase was in smithereens on the floor

—usually used in phrases like blow to smithereens or smash to smithereens

Roughly once a second, a star somewhere in the universe explodes. Some of these stars are blown to smithereens, strewing ashes through space.

Ron CowenWithin less than a decade, foreign invaders with horses, gunpowder, and lethal diseases had smashed their empire to smithereens.

Niall FergusonHe felt a plunk on the back of his neck as the snowball smashed to smithereens just above his coat collar.

Mordecai RichlerDon't tell that guy blasting rampaging zombies to smithereens in his favorite video game that he's getting lessons in efficient decision making.

Bruce Bower

Did you know?

Despite its American sound and its common use by the fiery animated cartoon character Yosemite Sam, smithereens did not originate in American slang. Although no one is entirely positive about its precise origins, scholars think that smithereens likely developed from the Irish word smidiríní, which means "little bits." That Irish word is the diminutive of smiodar, meaning "fragment." According to print evidence, the plural form smithereens first appears in English in the late 18th century; use of singular smithereen then follows.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Helming is betting on plasma torch technology that heats rock to about 6,000 degrees Celsius, blasting it to smithereens, as the solution.

Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 If Europe keeps the pressure on commodities in its economic war with Russia, then the answer is – as long as Europe and Russia are sanctioning each other to smithereens.

Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, 22 May 2022 Fluorescent hues poked out from underneath the weeds: shotgun shells, blown to smithereens.

Krista Karlson, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2020 The obvious thing to do would be to simply blow the AI to smithereens.

Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 May 2022 A few weeks ago, the mall was shelled to smithereens.

New York Times, 2 May 2022 To this lover of raw bivalves and tart heat, the Scotch-bonnet mignonette tasted like a far superior alternative to my usual D.I.Y. treatment—lemons squeezed to smithereens and a soup of Tabasco.

The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2022 The bottom line is that the Turkish drones continue to star in videos shared across Twitter and other social media platforms that feature them blowing Russian vehicles to smithereens.

Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2022 Because a flag towering over an assortment of smithereens would be too sorry a sight even for us.

Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	smithereens
释义	smithereens plural noun smith·er·eens ˌsmi-t͟hə-ˈrēnz : small broken pieces : fragments, bits the vase was in smithereens on the floor —usually used in phrases like blow to smithereens or smash to smithereens Roughly once a second, a star somewhere in the universe explodes. Some of these stars are blown to smithereens, strewing ashes through space. Ron CowenWithin less than a decade, foreign invaders with horses, gunpowder, and lethal diseases had smashed their empire to smithereens. Niall FergusonHe felt a plunk on the back of his neck as the snowball smashed to smithereens just above his coat collar. Mordecai RichlerDon't tell that guy blasting rampaging zombies to smithereens in his favorite video game that he's getting lessons in efficient decision making. Bruce Bower Did you know? Despite its American sound and its common use by the fiery animated cartoon character Yosemite Sam, smithereens did not originate in American slang. Although no one is entirely positive about its precise origins, scholars think that smithereens likely developed from the Irish word smidiríní, which means "little bits." That Irish word is the diminutive of smiodar, meaning "fragment." According to print evidence, the plural form smithereens first appears in English in the late 18th century; use of singular smithereen then follows. Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Helming is betting on plasma torch technology that heats rock to about 6,000 degrees Celsius, blasting it to smithereens, as the solution. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 If Europe keeps the pressure on commodities in its economic war with Russia, then the answer is – as long as Europe and Russia are sanctioning each other to smithereens. Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, 22 May 2022 Fluorescent hues poked out from underneath the weeds: shotgun shells, blown to smithereens. Krista Karlson, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2020 The obvious thing to do would be to simply blow the AI to smithereens. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 May 2022 A few weeks ago, the mall was shelled to smithereens. New York Times, 2 May 2022 To this lover of raw bivalves and tart heat, the Scotch-bonnet mignonette tasted like a far superior alternative to my usual D.I.Y. treatment—lemons squeezed to smithereens and a soup of Tabasco. The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2022 The bottom line is that the Turkish drones continue to star in videos shared across Twitter and other social media platforms that feature them blowing Russian vehicles to smithereens. Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2022 Because a flag towering over an assortment of smithereens would be too sorry a sight even for us. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology perhaps from Irish smidiríní First Known Use 1795, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing smithereens smash to smithereens blow to smithereens smash to smithereens blow to smithereens Kids Definition smithereens noun plural smith·er·eens ˌsmi-t͟hə-ˈrēnz : small broken pieces The target was blown to smithereens. smithereens plural noun as in shred informal small broken pieces The car was blown to smithereens when its gas tank exploded. The vase was smashed to smithereens. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance shred fragment splinter shred bit atom chip shard smack flake little smidgen sliver peanuts splash sprinkling scrap modicum spatter ace jot ounce whit lick semblance ray smidgin smidgeon scintilla shiver spark minimum dash tad iota dab fleck syllable speck touch smidge glimmer scattering driblet crumb nip particle vestige molecule dram minim grain skosh streak part dot soupçon strain mote tittle drop snap mite nubbin scruple smell hoot flyspeck suspicion granule section pinch spot shade bite hint handful patch portion smattering nibble morsel taste shadow smatter trace dose tatter shaving shot clipping paring Antonyms & Near Antonyms chunk slab lump hunk
随便看	pumped out pumped storage pumped up pumpellyite pumper pumper company pumper-ladder pumpernickel pumpernickels pumpers pumpet pumpet ball pumping pumping engine pumping jack pumping of the barometer pumping out pumping up pumpkin pumpkin ash pumpkin ball pumpkin beetle pumpkin bread pumpkin bug pumpkin head

smithereens

plural noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing smithereens

Kids Definition

noun plural

plural noun