scales
scales — noun
1. a set of numbers or levels arranged from low to high, used for measuring or comp
a set of numbers or levels arranged from low to high, used for measuring or comparing how much, how strong, or how good something is
The doctor asked the patient to rate the pain on a scale from zero to ten.
on a scale from [number] to [number]
A well-known scale ranks hurricanes from category one up to category five.
The company uses a five-point scale to measure how happy customers are with the service.
Schools in the region were compared using a standard scale of reading and maths achievement.
A salary scale at the factory rewards workers who stay with the company longer.
文法句型
on a scale of [number] to [number]
用法筆記
Usually singular. The plural 'scales' is reserved for the weighing-device meaning (see sense 4).
常見錯誤
2. the relationship between how big something appears on a map, drawing, or model a
the relationship between how big something appears on a map, drawing, or model and its actual size in the real world
The architect drew the building plans to scale so every room was exactly right.
drawn to scale
A map with a scale of one to fifty thousand shows every road in detail.
a scale of [ratio]
The model railway was built at a tiny scale, with trains just a few centimetres long.
A globe shows all the continents at the same scale, unlike most flat maps.
The furniture catalogue includes a small scale drawing next to each photograph of the item.
- ratio
a mathematical term; 'scale' is more natural when talking about maps and models
- proportion
broader; can refer to any size relationship, not just maps and models
文法句型
drawn to scale
on a scale of [ratio]
用法筆記
Usually singular. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about physical size ratios, not about grading quality or intensity.
常見錯誤
3. the overall size, reach, or importance of an activity, event, or problem — how b
the overall size, reach, or importance of an activity, event, or problem — how big or widespread it is
The factory produces furniture on a large scale and ships it to twelve countries.
on a large scale
Nobody had expected the protests to grow to such a scale in just three days.
A full-scale search of the forest began after the hiker was reported missing.
The scale of the damage from the flood became clear only when the water went down.
Local volunteers tackled the cleanup, but the problem really needed action on a national scale.
文法句型
on a [large/small/global] scale
用法筆記
Always singular. Frequently used with adjectives like 'large,' 'small,' 'grand,' 'global,' 'massive.'
常見錯誤
4. a piece of equipment that you stand on or put objects onto in order to find out
a piece of equipment that you stand on or put objects onto in order to find out how heavy they are
The nurse asked the young mother to step onto the scales with her baby in her arms.
step onto the scales
A set of digital scales in the kitchen helps the baker measure flour exactly.
digital scales
The delivery driver put each parcel on the scales before printing the postage label.
The old hotel still had a set of tall mechanical scales in the corner of the lobby.
At the airport, every suitcase goes across the scales before it can be loaded onto the plane.
- balance
can also refer specifically to the old-fashioned two-pan type (see sense 5)
- weighing machine
more formal; used in industrial or commercial settings
文法句型
get on the scales
step on the scales
用法筆記
Always plural: 'scales,' never 'a scale' for this meaning. You say 'the scales are broken,' not 'the scale is broken.'
常見錯誤
5. an old-fashioned tool for weighing, made of a bar balanced in the middle with a
an old-fashioned tool for weighing, made of a bar balanced in the middle with a pan or tray hanging from each end — you put a known weight on one side and the thing you want to weigh on the other
A pair of brass scales sat on the market trader's stall next to the piles of spices.
a pair of scales
The science teacher showed the children how a simple set of scales works using two paper cups and a ruler.
An antique set of apothecary scales was displayed in a glass case at the museum.
The old painting showed a blindfolded woman holding a pair of scales to represent justice.
The jeweller used a tiny set of scales to weigh the gold before making an offer for it.
- balance
often used interchangeably, but 'balance' can also be more general or figurative
- beam balance
technical term emphasising the horizontal bar
文法句型
a pair of scales
put [something] in the scales
用法筆記
Always plural. This is the traditional two-pan balance, distinct from modern digital or bathroom scales (sense 4). Often depicted as a symbol of justice.
6. a fixed set of musical notes arranged in order from the lowest to the highest pi
a fixed set of musical notes arranged in order from the lowest to the highest pitch, forming the basic material for melodies in a particular key
The piano student sat down every morning and practised scales for twenty minutes before playing any real pieces.
practised scales
A major scale has a bright, happy sound while a minor one feels sadder.
major scale / minor scale
The singer warmed up by going through a simple scale before the concert began.
Traditional Chinese music uses a five-note scale that sounds very different from the Western eight-note one.
The flute teacher wrote out the C major scale on a small whiteboard for the new student to copy.
文法句型
play a scale
practise scales
用法筆記
Singular for the concept ('the major scale'); plural when talking about practising multiple scales ('She practised her scales'). Distinguish from sense 1: this is specifically about musical pitch order.
7. one of the many small, thin, hard pieces that overlap each other to cover and pr
one of the many small, thin, hard pieces that overlap each other to cover and protect the body of a fish, snake, lizard, or similar animal
The fisherman scraped the scales off the fresh trout before frying it in butter.
scraped the scales off
A snake's scales feel smooth and dry, nothing like the wet, slippery skin people expect.
Shiny silver scales flashed in the sunlight as the school of sardines broke the surface of the water.
The lizard sheds its old scales in patches, revealing a brighter layer of skin underneath.
Under a magnifying glass, each butterfly wing scale looked like a tiny overlapping roof tile.
- plate
more general; 'scale' specifically refers to the thin, overlapping protective structures on animals
文法句型
scales of a [fish/snake/lizard]
用法筆記
Often plural because animals have many scales. A single piece is 'a scale,' the collective covering is 'scales.' The verb 'to scale a fish' means to remove these plates before cooking.
8. a hard white or grey layer that gradually builds up on the inside of pipes, kett
a hard white or grey layer that gradually builds up on the inside of pipes, kettles, boilers, and other equipment where water is regularly heated
A thick layer of scale inside the old kettle took ages to scrub away with vinegar.
a layer of scale
The plumber had to replace the pipe because scale had narrowed it to half its normal width.
The coffee machine stopped working properly after months of scale build-up went untreated.
A water softener stops scale from forming by removing the minerals that cause it.
The factory's boiler needed cleaning every six months to chip away the accumulated scale.
文法句型
a build-up of scale
scale forms inside [pipes/kettle]
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you say 'scale' not 'a scale' or 'scales.' Also called 'limescale' in everyday British English. This sense is related to the verb sense about cleaning teeth (verb/2), where a dentist removes similar deposits.
9. a tiny, thin, dry piece of dead skin that separates naturally from the surface o
a tiny, thin, dry piece of dead skin that separates naturally from the surface of the body, especially in certain skin conditions
The dermatologist examined the small scales of dry skin on the patient's elbows and arms.
scales of dry skin
Psoriasis causes red patches covered with silvery scales that can feel itchy and sore.
After the sunburn healed, fine scales of dead skin peeled away from the lifeguard's shoulders.
The baby had a harmless condition where tiny white scales appeared on the scalp for a few weeks.
- flake
more common in everyday language; 'scale' is the clinical term
文法句型
scales of skin
skin scales
用法筆記
Often plural and typically used in medical or dermatological contexts. Not the same as sense 7 (animal scales) — this refers to human skin shedding.
常見錯誤
scales — verb
1. to climb up something very steep or high, such as a cliff, wall, or mountain, of
to climb up something very steep or high, such as a cliff, wall, or mountain, often using ropes or special equipment because it is difficult or dangerous
A team of experienced climbers set out to scale the north face of the mountain before sunrise.
scale the [north/south] face of [mountain]
The protesters scaled the high fence around the construction site and sat down in front of the bulldozers.
Firefighters scaled a ladder to reach the family trapped on the fourth floor of the burning building.
The cat scaled the tall bookcase in seconds and looked down at everyone from the very top shelf.
A young man attempted to scale the outside of the hotel tower without any safety ropes and was stopped by security.
- descend
to go down
文法句型
scale + [wall/cliff/mountain/peak]
用法筆記
Transitive — always takes a direct object (the thing being climbed). More dramatic than 'climb' and implies the surface is unusually steep or difficult.
常見錯誤
2. to remove the hard, chalky substance and soft bacterial film that builds up on t
to remove the hard, chalky substance and soft bacterial film that builds up on teeth, usually done by a dentist or hygienist with a special tool
The dental hygienist scaled the patient's teeth carefully, scraping away years of built-up tartar below the gum line.
scaled [someone's] teeth
The dentist recommended that the teenager have her teeth scaled and polished every six months to keep them healthy.
having her teeth scaled and polished
After the hygienist scaled the lower front teeth, the difference was visible in the mirror straight away.
A routine scale and polish at the clinic took about thirty minutes and was covered by the basic insurance plan.
- descale
used for removing scale from pipes and appliances, not for teeth
文法句型
have your teeth scaled
scale + [teeth]
用法筆記
Transitive, often used in the passive ('have your teeth scaled'). This is a professional dental procedure, not something done at home with a toothbrush. Related to noun sense 8 (hard deposit in pipes).
常見錯誤
3. to increase or decrease the size, amount, or level of something while keeping ev
to increase or decrease the size, amount, or level of something while keeping everything in the right proportion, so the whole thing grows or shrinks together
The bakery scaled up production after a popular food blog featured its sourdough bread.
scaled up production
When the funding was cut, the research team had to scale the project down to just two people.
scale the project down
The software company scaled its systems to handle ten times more users without slowing down.
A recipe for twelve people can easily be scaled to feed four by dividing all the ingredients by three.
The model was scaled to exactly one-tenth of the real truck, right down to the smallest detail on the wheels.
文法句型
scale up [production/output]
scale down [operations]
scale [something] to [size/level]
用法筆記
Transitive. 'Scale up' means to increase; 'scale down' means to reduce. This sense is about proportion — not just making something bigger, but keeping all parts in the right relationship.
常見錯誤
4. to have a particular weight when placed on a weighing machine — used to state ho
to have a particular weight when placed on a weighing machine — used to state how heavy someone or something is
The heavyweight boxer scaled in at just under a hundred and ten kilos before the title fight.
scaled in at [weight]
The largest pumpkin at the fair scaled at over four hundred kilograms and won first prize.
scaled at [weight]
The newborn calf scaled at thirty-two kilos, which the farmer said was a healthy weight for the breed.
Every wrestler must scale in before the match to prove they meet the weight limit for their category.
The delivery of steel beams scaled at nearly two tonnes and needed a forklift to move it into the warehouse.
- weigh
the everyday word; 'scale at/in' sounds more formal or official
文法句型
scale at [weight]
scale in at [weight]
用法筆記
Intransitive. Used mainly in sporting, agricultural, and industrial contexts to report a measured weight. In everyday speech, people simply say 'weighs' rather than 'scales at.'
常見錯誤
5. to scrape off the small hard plates from the skin of a fish before cooking or pr
to scrape off the small hard plates from the skin of a fish before cooking or preparing it
The chef scaled the salmon quickly, running a blunt knife from the tail up to the head.
scaled the [fish]
A fishmonger at the market offered to scale and gut the sea bass for an extra charge.
scale and gut
Scaling a fresh mackerel outside is a good idea because the tiny scales fly everywhere.
The cookbook said to scale the trout under cold running water to keep the kitchen bench clean.
The fisherman's wife sat on the dock with a bucket and scaled the morning catch into the water below.
文法句型
scale + [fish/trout/salmon]
用法筆記
Transitive. Related to noun sense 7 (fish scales). Not the same as 'descaling' a kettle or pipe — that is removing mineral deposits (noun sense 8).