noun

scalability

skay-luh-BIL-i-tee

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Scalability (noun) means the ability of a system or process to grow and cope with increasing demand. Example: “The company redesigned its database to improve scalability during busy periods.”

noun

The ability of a system or process to grow and cope with increasing demand.

"The company redesigned its database to improve scalability during busy periods."

"Engineers questioned the scalability of the plan once user numbers doubled."

"Good scalability meant the service kept working smoothly as traffic grew."

How to use scalability

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishScalability is how well something can grow bigger without falling apart.

When to use it

Scalability appears mostly in business and technology writing rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Ask yourself ‘can it handle more?’ — that question is roughly what scalability measures.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

horizontal scalability scalability issues improve scalability scalability of a system

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company redesigned its database to improve _____ during busy periods.

Etymology

Scalability is formed either from ‘scale’ with the suffix ‘-ability’, or from ‘scalable’ with the suffix ‘-ity’, both patterns turning the idea of scaling into a noun describing a quality.

Origin: English

Rhymes for scalability

city deity acuity parity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality annuity gravity

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Frequently asked questions

What does scalability mean?

Scalability is how well a system or process can grow to handle more demand without breaking down.

Why does scalability matter in software?

It matters because a system with poor scalability can slow down or fail as more users or data are added.

What is an example of scalability?

A website that keeps working smoothly whether it has a hundred or a million visitors is showing good scalability.

What is the meaning of scalability?

"scalability" (noun) means the ability of a system or process to grow and cope with increasing demand.