How to Pronounce Scale

To pronounce "scale", say SCAL-e — 2 syllables, IPA /skeɪl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

scale

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/skeɪl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “scale”

"scale" has 2 syllables: scal-e. It rhymes with wail and gale, if that helps it stick.

What does scale mean?

noun

  1. A ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending.
  2. An ordered, usually numerical sequence used for measurement, means of assigning a magnitude.

    “Please rate your experience on a scale from 1 to 10.”

verb

  1. To change the size of something whilst maintaining proportion; especially to change a process in order to produce much larger amounts of the final product.

    “We should scale that up by a factor of 10.”

  2. To climb to the top of.

    “Hilary and Norgay were the first known to have scaled Everest.”

Hear “scale” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with scale

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

wailgaleavailfrailassailtravailprevailentailstaleunveilailbale

Related words

descaleplatesurmountscurfshell

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "scale"?▾

"Scale" has 2 syllables: scal · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "scale"?▾

The IPA transcription of "scale" is /skeɪl/.

What does "scale" mean?▾

Scale: A ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending.

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