scope
skohp
Scope (noun) means the range or extent of a subject, task, or activity. Example: “The scope of the project grew far beyond the original budget.”
noun
1
The range or extent of a subject, task, or activity.
"The scope of the project grew far beyond the original budget."
"That question is outside the scope of this meeting."
"Fixing the leak is within the scope of the repair contract."
verb
1
To examine or investigate something briefly, especially to assess its extent or feasibility.
"Let's scope out the venue before we book it."
"I'll scope out the cafe first to see whether it's quiet."
"He scoped the car park for a free space."
2
To define the boundaries or requirements of a task or project.
"The team spent a week scoping the new feature before writing any code."
"Before we start, we need to scope the work properly."
"She scoped the website redesign and listed what it would include."
How to use scope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow far something reaches or covers — a project's scope is everything it is meant to include.
Common pairings
within scope
scope out
broaden the scope
scope creep
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Word forms
- Plural
- scopes
- Third person singular
- scopes
- Past tense
- scoped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the project grew far beyond the original budget.
Etymology
From Italian scopo, "purpose," ultimately from Ancient Greek skopos, "target" — the same root that gives us "skeptic" and "spectrum."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for scope
See all rhymes for scope →Frequently asked questions
What does “scope” mean?
The word “scope” means the range or extent of a subject, task, or activity. In plain terms, how far something reaches or covers — a project's scope is everything it is meant to include.
How do you pronounce “scope”?
“Scope” is pronounced skohp (/skoʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “scope” in a sentence?
Here is “scope” used in a sentence: “The scope of the project grew far beyond the original budget.”
What part of speech is “scope”?
Depending on how it is used, “scope” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scope” come from?
The word “scope” comes from Ancient Greek. From Italian scopo, "purpose," ultimately from Ancient Greek skopos, "target" — the same root that gives us "skeptic" and "spectrum.".
Is “scope” a common word?
“Scope” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “scope” have?
“Scope” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the range or extent of a subject, task, or activity.
What is the difference between "scope" and "scale"?
"Scope" refers to the range or extent of what a subject or task covers, while "scale" refers to its size or magnitude. A project's scope is what it includes, whereas its scale is how big it is.
What is the difference between "scope" and "range"?
The words overlap, but "scope" emphasises the breadth of what is dealt with and the limits of an activity, while "range" emphasises the span between two points or a set of options. A study's scope may be broad while its data covers a wide range.
What are common phrases using "scope"?
Frequent collocations include "scope of work," "scope of a project," "within scope," "out of scope," and "leave scope for." These uses draw on the sense of range or boundaries.
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