scope

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskōp 

1

: intention, object

2

: space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought

3

: extent of treatment, activity, or influence

4

: range of operation: such as

a

: the range of a logical operator : a string in predicate calculus that is governed by a quantifier

b

: a grammatical constituent that determines the interpretation of a predicate or quantifier

scope

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

: any of various instruments for viewing: such as

a

: microscope

b

: telescope

c

: a telescope mounted on a firearm for use as a sight

d

: endoscope

2

: horoscope

scope

3 of 4

verb

scoped; scoping

transitive verb

1

: to look at especially for the purpose of evaluation

—usually used with out

Eunice and I … strutted down the aisles, pretending we were looking for somewhere to sit. Really we were just scoping the place out to see who was there.

—Helene Cooper

Wherever you go, scope out the situation carefully before you take off your dog's leash.

—Donna-Lynn Musgrave

It abuts Wagner Park, where at twilight people watch softball and scope out the local talent.

—Rob Spillman

2

a

: to view (something) with a telescope

… atop a small hill that once held a mortar battery, two urban park rangers and twenty-five or so shivering visitors scoped the sky.

—Ian Frazier

If scoping the stars isn't your thing, the ship also offers a rich array of on-board speakers, wine tastings, golf simulations and a casino to keep you busy.

—The Plainsman (Auburn University, Alabama)

b

: to examine with an endoscope and especially an arthroscope

Players on every pro team have been scoped, mostly their knees (about 80%) but also their shoulders, elbows, wrists.

—Kostya Kennedy

He went to the hospital with the thought that the knee would be scoped, a simple procedure, and he would be back in the lineup in about 10 days.

—Leigh Montville

3

: to equip with a scope

a scoped rifle

-scope

4 of 4

noun combining form

: means (such as an instrument) for viewing or observing

endoscope

spectroscope

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ambit
• amplitude
• breadth
• compass
• confines
• dimension(s)
• extent
• range
• reach
• realm
• sweep
• width

Choose the Right Synonym for scope

range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control).

range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of scope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Folwell, who is running for governor, argued that the state health plan’s board of trustees should have the authority to determine the scope of employee benefits — echoing the argument North Carolina makes in court documents that covering gender-affirming care would be a financial burden. —Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 14 Sep. 2023

In this day-to-night transition, Anderson introduces a darker interpretation of the flirty, movement-minded apparel the show highlights, demonstrating to previous fans as well as new viewers the scope of his range. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 14 Sep. 2023

The project management deal could grow to as much as $71 million due to clauses such as an extra $2 million that could be added to account for any increases in the scope of the project, and a $4 million renewal option that could extend the contract to a seventh year. —Everton Bailey Jr., Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023

Both listings are similar in scope, asking each writer to cover the close of their historic tours — Renaissance and Eras — as well as upcoming album or project releases. —Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023

Due to an international debate over the borders of the Southern Ocean, Vescovo, the adventurer, made two dives in the area, in an effort to keep his achievement safe from doubt no matter how people defined the scope of that territory. —Hannah Fish, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2023

That means a trail built in the estuary would be limited in scope and can’t be paved — and so won’t meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, a big complication for the project, said Jongenelen, the AMATS transportation planning manager. —Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023

What has happened so far in the antitrust case Before trial, the judge narrowed the scope of the case, dismissing three claims over how Google manages its Android operating system, its relationships with phone makers and its Google Assistant service. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023

While little mention was made of the finality of Aerosmith’s touring career, the scope of the songs selected for the set list provided the unspoken sentiments. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023

Verb

Rather than general systems, then, those that are more narrowly scoped and domain-specific should be encouraged. —Mustafa Suleyman, WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023

Bronzeville Center for the Arts will host its first public scoping session to gather community input to help determine future programming, exhibits and community space for its arts center. —Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 27 June 2023

The public input portion, however, will only occur during the current scoping phase of the study, through June 30. —Kye Graves, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 2023

As a result of this meeting, the BBC has been asked to pause its investigations into the allegations while the police scope future work. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 July 2023

Had the spies been scoping the lake for Russian magnates investing nearby, as the Milan daily newspaper Corriere della Sera posited on Thursday? —Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 1 June 2023

Ford plans to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 emissions from operations by 76%, based on 2017 emissions, and scope 3 emissions from all of the company's products by 50%, based on 2019 emissions, by 2035. —Leighton Schneider, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2021

Crossbows were scoped up, dialed in, and shot from a lead sled. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 21 June 2023

Lease sales in several states are scheduled to take place next month, and the Bureau of Land Management has begun scoping for Q3 sales. —Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 26 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian scopo purpose, goal, from Greek skopos; akin to Greek skeptesthai to watch, look at — more at spy

Noun (2)

-scope

Verb

perhaps from scope entry 2

Noun combining form

New Latin -scopium, from Greek -skopion; akin to Greek skeptesthai

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1955, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scope

• spotting scope
• scope out

• spotting scope
• scope out

Kids Definition

scope

1 of 3 noun

ˈskōp 

1

: space or opportunity for action or thought

full scope for expression

2

: area or amount included, reached, or viewed : range

a subject broad in scope

scope

2 of 3 noun

: any of various instruments for viewing: as

a

: microscope

b

: telescope entry 1

c

: oscilloscope

-scope

3 of 3 combining form

: means for viewing : instrument for viewing

kaleidoscope

Etymology

Noun

from Italian scopo "aim, purpose, goal," from Greek skopos "watcher, goal, aim" — related to bishop, episcopal, horoscope see Word History at bishop

Noun

by shortening

Combining form

derived from Greek skopos "watcher, goal, aim"

Medical Definition

scope

noun

ˈskōp 

: any of various instruments (as an arthroscope, endoscope, or microscope) for viewing or observing

scope transitive verb

scoped; scoping