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

Train hiring managers to understand the scope and implications of these laws. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

That Killed Sleeping Man in 2013 Opens for Third Time: 'This Is Mother Nature' About 36 hours after Pollard was first reported missing, authorities changed the scope of the search and rescue effort, citing safety concerns. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

Psilocybin’s effects on cognition and creativity: A scoping review. —Lydia Kariuki, The Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2024

Remember that a digital credential can be scoped to a very certain use, such as verifying an educational certification or membership in a loyalty program, and these narrower scopes can be considered ahead of full identity assertion. —Peter Barker, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

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

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