Standard Lemma guide

Smithereen

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌsmiðəˈɹiːn/
  • Ireland, Received-Pronunciation: /smɪðəˈɹiːn/
  • General-American: /ˌsmɪðəˈɹin/
  • rhymes with -iːn
  • CMU ARPABET: S M IH2 DH ER0 IY1 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A native of Smithers, British Columbia.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A tiny fragment or splinter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural-normally, rare

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the name of the city, after Sir A. W. Smithers (1850–1924), chairman of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Influenced by smithereens?

See smithereens.