sliding scale

noun

1

: a wage scale geared to the selling price of the product or to the consumer price index but usually guaranteeing a minimum below which the wage will not fall

2

a

: a system for raising or lowering tariffs in accord with price changes

b

: a flexible scale (as of fees or subsidies) adjusted to the needs or income of individuals

the sliding scale of medical fees

Examples of sliding scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For businesses, Extended Support Updates will be available for another three years, with a punishing sliding scale of fees that start at $61 for the first year, but double the following year, and then double again in year three. —Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

There have been a few bad defeats for Newcastle this season — where did that defeat sit on the sliding scale? —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Below are the most general percentages that are used in each classification; different brands will play loosely with these concentration levels, so just be aware of the sliding scale here. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025

Packages are offered on a sliding scale that starts at $1,499. —Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sliding scale

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale