Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

turn of the scale

Definition of turn of the scale 

: the slight excess in weight that turns a scalepan downward and that usually constitutes an advantage to a buyer

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about turn of the scale

Share turn of the scale

Resources for turn of the scale

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near turn of the scale

turn of speed

turn of the bilge

turn of the market

turn of the scale

turn on

turn one's back

turn one's hand to

Statistics for turn of the scale

Look-up Popularity

Comments on turn of the scale

What made you want to look up turn of the scale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

nary

not any or not one

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz

  • scrabble-tiles-that-read-scrabble-quiz
  • Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games