scale

/skeɪl/
noun
  1. A device used for weighing things, like a balance or a digital scale.
    • The luggage scale showed the bag was over the weight limit.
    • She stepped on the scale to check her weight.
    • The baker used a kitchen scale to measure the flour.
  2. The size or level of something, especially when compared to other things.
    • The company operates on a global scale.
    • They built a model of the city on a small scale.
    • The scale of the project was much larger than we expected.
  3. A set of marks or numbers on a tool or instrument used for measuring.
    • The thermometer has a scale from 0 to 100 degrees.
    • The map's scale shows that one inch equals ten miles.
    • Read the scale on the ruler carefully to get the correct length.
  4. One of the small, flat, hard pieces that cover the skin of fish, snakes, and some other animals.
    • The fish's scales shimmered in the sunlight.
    • The snake shed its old scales as it grew.
    • He carefully removed the scales from the fish before cooking it.
  5. A series of musical notes that go up or down in pitch, used for practice or as the basis of a piece of music.
    • The piano teacher asked her to play a C major scale.
    • He practiced scales every morning to improve his technique.
    • The song is based on a simple five-note scale.
verb
  1. To climb up something steep, like a wall, cliff, or mountain.
    • The cat scaled the tree to escape the dog.
    • He scaled the fence to get into the garden.
    • The climbers scaled the mountain in just two days.
  2. To change the size or level of something, especially to make it larger or smaller.
    • The company plans to scale its operations next year.
    • We need to scale the image down so it fits on the page.
    • They scaled back their plans due to a lack of funding.
  3. To remove the scales from a fish.
    • You should scale the fish first to make it easier to eat.
    • The fisherman scaled and cleaned his catch.
    • She scaled the fish before frying it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
adjective
  1. Relating to or using a scale for measuring or comparing.
    • The teacher showed a scale map of the solar system.
    • The scale model of the building was very detailed.
    • They used a scale drawing to plan the new kitchen.
What does "scale" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean