smithereens: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, sometimes humorous or hyperbolic.
Quick answer
What does “smithereens” mean?
Small pieces or fragments, especially resulting from something being violently smashed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Small pieces or fragments, especially resulting from something being violently smashed.
Used to emphasize the completeness of destruction, disintegration, or defeat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The phrase is equally common and idiomatic in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a slightly informal, vivid, sometimes playful connotation when describing destruction.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Slightly more common in spoken, narrative, or journalistic language than in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “smithereens” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [object] + to smithereensbe + blown/broken/smashed + to smithereensVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “smithereens” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The explosion smithereened the old shed.
- He was so angry he threatened to smithereen the controller.
American English
- The bomb completely smithereened the vehicle.
- Don't smithereen that document; just shred it.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in hyperbolic descriptions of market crashes or failed deals (e.g., 'The new regulations blew our expansion plans to smithereens.').
Academic
Very rare, except in informal speech. Not used in formal academic prose.
Everyday
Common in vivid descriptions of accidents, anger, or forceful actions (e.g., 'I dropped the vase and it shattered into smithereens.').
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “smithereens”
- Using it as a singular noun (*a smithereen).
- Using it without the preposition 'to' (*break smithereens).
- Misspelling as 'smithereens', 'smitherines', or 'smithereans'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern English, 'smithereens' is only used in its plural form. The singular form 'smithereen' is archaic and not used.
No. 'Smithereens' strongly implies violent, forceful, or complete destruction. It is not used for something carefully taken apart or neatly broken.
It is of Irish origin, deriving from the Irish word 'smidirín', meaning 'small fragment'. It entered English in the early 19th century.
Both are correct and common. 'To smithereens' is often used with verbs like 'blow' or 'smash', while 'into smithereens' is common with 'break' or 'shatter'. The meaning is identical.
Small pieces or fragments, especially resulting from something being violently smashed.
Smithereens is usually informal, sometimes humorous or hyperbolic. in register.
Smithereens: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsmɪð.əˈriːnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsmɪð.əˈriːnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to blow/smash/break (something) to smithereens”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SMITH (blacksmith) hitting an anvil so hard that the metal scatters everywhere in tiny EENs (imagine the sound 'een een een' as the pieces fly).
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS REDUCTION TO UNRECOGNISABLE PARTS; ANGER IS A FORCE THAT SHATTERS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'smithereens' CORRECTLY?