scalable

[skey-luh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being scaled: scale: scaled.

   the scalable slope of a mountain.

scalable

/ ˈskeɪləbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being scaled or climbed

2. computing (of a network) able to be expanded to cope with increased use

Other Word Forms

• scalableness noun
• scalably adverb
• unscalable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scalable¹

First recorded in 1570–80; scale ³ + -able

Example Sentences

In this work, researchers achieved a first: they created scalable quantum circuits capable of preparing the starting state of a particle collision similar to those produced in particle accelerators.

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"By letting water itself play both structural and electrical roles, we've unlocked a new strategy for droplet electricity generation that is lightweight, cost-effective, and scalable," said Prof. Wanlin Guo, a corresponding author of the study.

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“If you can make them scalable then the usefulness of this technology really becomes quite significant.”

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Harvesting the pigment from animals isn't scalable or efficient, and traditional lab methods are labor intensive, reliant on chemical synthesis that is low yielding.

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"Germanium is already a workhorse material for advanced semiconductor technologies, so by showing it can also become superconducting under controlled growth conditions there's now potential for scalable, foundry-ready quantum devices."

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Related Words

• extensible 

When To Use

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.