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

Noun (1)

the company's scope of operations now spans two continents

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Analysts say there is much scope to remove brands and cut headcount. —Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

After Trump's whiplash on tariffs in recent months, the full scope of the economic impact on Canada is not yet clear. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 May 2025

Verb

Ensure partners have a solid track record and that projects are scoped to include realistic timelines and goals. —Yuval Boger, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Advertisement Advertisement The study is what’s known as a scoping review of the literature, one that takes the measure of the body of papers published on a particular topic in a particular time frame and seeks to come away with an idea of what the emerging consensus is on the science. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

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

• scope out
• spotting scope

Rhymes for scope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope

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