scope

scope¹ W3 [skəup US skoup] n

[Date: 1500-1600; : Italian; Origin: scopo 'purpose', from Greek skopos]

1.) [U]

the range of things that a subject, activity, book etc deals with

scope of

▪ the need to define the scope of the investigation

▪ measures to limit the scope of criminals' activities

beyond/outside/within the scope of sth

▪ A full discussion of that issue is beyond the scope of this book.

widen/broaden/extend etc the scope of sth

▪ Let us extend the scope of the study to examine more factors.

narrow/limit etc the scope of sth

▪ The court's ruling narrowed the scope of the affirmative action program.

limited/wider etc in scope

▪ His efforts were too limited in scope to have much effect.

2.) [U]

the opportunity to do or develop something

scope for

▪ The scope for successful gardening increases dramatically with a greenhouse.

there is considerable/great/little etc scope for sth

▪ There is considerable scope for further growth in the economy.

3.) [singular] informal

a particular set of activities and the people who are involved in them

= ↑scene

the music/cinema/club etc scope

scope ²

scope² v

scope out [scope sb/sth<=>out] phr v

to look at something or someone to see what they are like

▪ Let's go inside and scope out the menu.