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scope

n. · v.
US //ˈskoʊp// UK //skˈəʊp// scope
  1. 1 range or extent (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    the range of things that a subject, an organization, or a project deals with.

    the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or to which it is relevant.

    Example

    The new law is limited in scope and only applies to large companies.

    Example

    The committee decided that the environmental impact of the new highway fell outside the scope of their current investigation.

    Usage

    Often used with the prepositions 'of' or 'for'.
  2. 2 opportunity (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the opportunity or freedom to do something or to be successful.

    the opportunity or possibility for unhindered activity or thought.

    Example

    This new job offers much more scope for using my creative skills.

    Example

    The existing framework leaves little scope for innovation, forcing researchers to adhere to outdated protocols.

    Usage

    Commonly follows 'there is' or 'offers'.
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  1. 3 viewing instrument (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a tool used for looking at things, like a telescope or a part of a gun used for aiming.

    any of various instruments for viewing or observing, such as a telescope, microscope, or a sighting device on a firearm.

    Example

    He looked through the scope of his rifle to see the target more clearly.

    Example

    The technician adjusted the scope to get a better view of the microscopic organisms in the water sample.
  2. 4 programming region (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    the part of a computer program where a specific name or piece of data can be used.

    the region of program source code in which a given identifier is valid or an object is accessible.

    Example

    The variable is not recognized because it is outside the scope of this function.

    Example

    Global variables should be used sparingly to avoid conflicts within the local scope of nested functions.
  3. 5 to investigate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to look at or examine something to get a general idea of it.

    to assess or investigate something, typically to determine its feasibility or to gather preliminary information.

    Example

    We need to scope the area before we decide where to build the camp.

    Example

    The team spent the first week scoping the requirements of the project to ensure the budget was realistic.

    Usage

    Often used as the phrasal verb 'scope out'.
Etymology 1

From Italian scopo (“purpose”), from Latin scopus (“target”), from Ancient Greek σκοπός (skopós), from σκέπτομαι (sképtomai), from Proto-Indo-European *speḱ-. Etymologically related to skeptic and spectrum.

Etymology 2

From Latin scopa.

Idioms1 entry

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