scalable
Americanadjective
adjective
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capable of being scaled or climbed
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computing (of a network) able to be expanded to cope with increased use
Usage
What does scalable mean? Scalable means able to be expanded or made bigger. It’s especially applied to small businesses and computer networks. This sense of the word is based on the noun scale, referring to the size or extent of something. The related phrase scale up means to expand something or make it bigger. A company considered scalable is one that can be scaled up—it can use the same business model with a much larger operation. The term is especially used in the context of startups that could potentially become very large companies. A computer network or other virtual entity that’s scalable is one that can be expanded while allowing for increased use or additional computing capacity. Unrelatedly, scalable means able to be climbed. This sense of the word is based on the verb scale, meaning to climb. Example: It’s an interesting business model, but it’s not scalable—to expand, you’d need an unsustainable amount of raw materials and infrastructure.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of scalable
Explanation
When something's scalable, it's possible to change its size to suit your needs. Your lemonade stand is scalable if you can easily, quickly make more lemonade and obtain more cups to meet increased demand. You can use this adjective in two ways. First, it can mean "adaptable" or "able to grow." This is often used in business, but you can describe many things this way. Your bird feeder is scalable if it works for a single sparrow but can also fit a dozen grackles. Things are also scalable when you can climb over, or scale, them: "The hill on the obstacle course is low and easily scalable."
Vocabulary lists containing scalable
The Bronze Bow
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"The Digital Revolution and the Adolescent Brain Evolution" by Jay N. Giedd
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Endling: The First
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He says that the deal consolidates scalable thermal resources around Cenovus’ Christina Lake area operations, with around C$85 million in synergies identified, which “CVE’s upstream operating expertise could drive upside beyond.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
For years, restaurants have been encouraged to become frictionless, scalable, customizable and infinitely replicable.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
“The successful deployment of Starship will establish the most affordable and scalable path to unlocking the economic potential of space,” Citi wrote in an earlier note to clients.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Resilient Shield has also created a modular and scalable resource hub that can be adapted to different public health challenges.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
Compton specified that the work would have to be done at breakneck speed and that the process would have to be scalable to an industrial level.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
