scatterbrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scatterbrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is forgetful or disorganized in their thoughts or actions. Example: "She tends to be a bit scatterbrained, often forgetting where she placed her keys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hugely gifted, he was also scatterbrained, unreliable and, at the end, addicted to laudanum.

The Economist

Given the top-flight standardised scores and the okay grades, I think he's probably underperforming, failing to get her to develop to potential; she's scatterbrained (also runs in the family) and forgets to study for her geography tests.

The Economist

If the shy or the scatterbrained take cognitive enhancers, it is not obvious whether this is levelling their playing field or giving them an unfair advantage.

The Economist

It still looks scatterbrained, spontaneous and naive but this time there's an added confidence - hers and ours - that it will all come together and make sense in the end.

Independent

Fay remains as scatterbrained as ever, barely able to take stock of her son's misbehavior in school ("You're grounded, like, forever"), let alone of the wider warpings beyond.

The New Yorker

This game of positive and negative charges, a sort of alternating current, is announced in the play's first beat, when Dr. Givings's sweetly scatterbrained wife, Catherine (the pert Laura Benanti), plays with an electric light to amuse her newborn daughter.

The New Yorker

It is runty, scatterbrained Diane, and not handsome, efficient Linda, who is the common-law wife of Moïse Espinas, the lead Tekameli singer and "possessor of the greatest voice north of Barcelona".

The New Yorker

But Dumile's books were like his songs — scatterbrained and disorganized, a series of potentially humorous couplets.

The New Yorker

A game of positive and negative charges is announced in the play's first beat, when Catherine (the pert Laura Benanti), the sweetly scatterbrained wife of Dr. Givings (Michael Cerveris), plays with an electric light to amuse her newborn daughter.

The New Yorker

"She was kind of daffy, endearingly scatterbrained, with this butterfly mind," he told me.

The New Yorker

From one moment to the next, he is as sweet and naive as a storybook shepherdess, as dirty-mouthed and -minded as a sailor on shore leave, as scatterbrained as Lucy Ricardo, as serene as a Tibetan monk or as no-nonsense as an old Broadway trouper.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character or person as "scatterbrained", provide specific examples of their behavior to illustrate the trait effectively. For instance, mention lost keys or forgotten appointments.

Common error

While "scatterbrained" is widely understood, it can sound informal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using alternatives like "disorganized" or "inattentive" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "scatterbrained" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns by describing someone or something as disorganized, forgetful, or lacking focus. Examples from Ludwig confirm this usage, portraying individuals and even abstract entities like a company as "scatterbrained".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scatterbrained" is a common adjective used to describe someone disorganized or forgetful, typically in neutral contexts. Ludwig AI validates its correct grammatical usage and widespread presence in news and media. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "disorganized" or "inattentive" might be preferred in professional settings. The related phrases offer nuanced alternatives based on the specific aspect of the lack of focus to be emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent-minded

Focuses on a lack of awareness of surroundings or forgetfulness.

forgetful

Emphasizes the inability to remember things.

disorganized

Highlights a lack of structure and order.

easily distracted

Focuses on the tendency to have attention drawn away from the task at hand.

inattentive

Emphasizes a lack of attention or focus.

preoccupied

Suggests being absorbed in one's own thoughts, leading to a lack of awareness.

flighty

Implies impulsiveness and a lack of seriousness.

careless

Highlights a lack of attention to detail and potential for mistakes.

slapdash

Indicates a hasty and poorly organized approach.

muddleheaded

Suggests confusion and a lack of clear thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "scatterbrained" in a sentence?

You can use "scatterbrained" to describe someone who is disorganized or forgetful. For example, "She's a bit "scatterbrained", always misplacing her belongings."

What's a more formal alternative to "scatterbrained"?

If you need a more formal term, consider using "absent-minded", "disorganized", or "inattentive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "scatterbrained" in professional communication?

While "scatterbrained" is generally understood, it might be perceived as informal or even mildly offensive in some professional settings. Consider using more neutral terms like "disorganized" or "forgetful" instead.

What is the difference between "scatterbrained" and "absent-minded"?

"Scatterbrained" implies a general lack of focus and disorganization, while "absent-minded" suggests being preoccupied with one's thoughts and unaware of one's surroundings. Although similar, "scatterbrained" emphasizes the behavioral aspect of disorganization, whereas "absent-minded" underlines the mental state.