English Reference

Word

scaled

US/ˈskeɪɫd/

UK/skˈeɪld/

Definitions

01covered in scales

B2 · Science

adj. covered with small, hard plates, like the skin of a fish, snake, or lizard.

adj. covered with scales or scale-like structures; typically used in biological contexts to describe the skin of reptiles or fish.

“The lizard has a scaled back that protects it from the hot sun.”

“The biologist noted that the specimen's scaled underbelly was significantly paler than its dorsal surface, a common trait in this genus.”

Technical

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it describes.

Synonyms

Antonyms

smoothscaleless

02changed in size

B2 · Math

v. made larger or smaller while keeping the same shape and proportions.

v. adjusted in size or scale according to a fixed ratio or proportion.

“The architect showed us a scaled model of the new library.”

“The digital image was scaled down to fit the mobile interface without losing its original aspect ratio.”

Usage

Often used as a past participle adjective before a noun like 'model', 'drawing', or 'map'.

Synonyms

resizedproportional

03climbed up

B2

v. climbed up something very steep, like a wall or a mountain.

v. ascended a steep incline or vertical surface, often with difficulty.

“The hikers finally scaled the peak just before the sun went down.”

“The commandos scaled the fortress walls under the cover of darkness, bypassing the primary gates entirely.”

Usage

This is the past tense form of the transitive verb 'scale'.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“However, on Wednesday, Ottawa scaled back some tariffs, including those on fish and other seafood products.”
Al Jazeera · 27 Aug 2026
“But the bones are long, and when the other body elements are scaled based on the leg bones, they suggest that these individuals were tall.”
Phys.org · 19 Aug 2026

Collocations

scaled back

Domain

Zoology

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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