scalable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scalable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to technology, business, or systems to describe something that can be expanded or adapted to handle increased demand or growth. Example: "Our new software solution is highly scalable, allowing it to accommodate a growing number of users without compromising performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There are no scalable alternative fuels or technologies available today capable of taking the place of fossil fuels and offering society what those energy sources provide," he wrote in a blog in October.

The Guardian

Despite his concerns, Cerf said he believes that the internet's multi-stakeholder status has kept the web "evolvable, scalable, and has invited creativity".

The Guardian

"Most of the projects are funded by grants from donors, but since last year we have partnered with financial institutions who are providing loans to pay for future sanitation projects," says Ebrahim. "This came after we definitively proved that the projects are bankable, profitable and scalable".

The Guardian

Do you think models like these are scalable?

The Guardian

The situation boils down to this: fossil fuel is immensely useful, valuable and politically important, yet if we want to avoid taking unacceptable risks with the planet we need to leave most of that fuel in the ground – either forever or at least until there's an affordable and scalable way to stop the exhaust gases building up in the atmosphere.

The Guardian

However, it has abandoned for now attempts to help firms recruit employees from among Coursera's students, because catering to the different needs of each employer was "not a scalable model", says Ms Koller.For Udacity, in contrast, working with companies to train existing and future employees is now the heart of its business model.

The Economist

Is it scalable?

The New York Times

Assets under management disappear and the patient building process has to start all over again.Nigel Wightman of Titanium Asset Management points out that in active management (ie, trying to beat an index) investment is not really scalable.

The Economist

This is both the most effective option and the most "scalable", since a hotter Earth would simply require a bigger or more opaque parasol.The other ideas suffer from fundamental limits that stop them being scaled up indefinitely.

The Economist

Fixing homeless people up as wireless hotspots doesn't seem like a scalable idea, but as an attention-getting experiment, well, why not?

The Economist

The trick, he explains, is to abandon "handcrafted" teaching methods for scalable ones: online course materials and tutors; star teachers' lessons broadcast by satellite; tightly specified franchise agreements with hundreds of local teaching centres staffed by moderators.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, use "scalable" to emphasize its ability to handle future growth or increased demand efficiently. This is especially useful in business plans and technology proposals.

Common error

Avoid using "scalable" simply as a trendy term without providing concrete examples of how the system or solution achieves scalability. Explain the specific mechanisms or features that enable it to grow.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scalable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their ability to increase in size, scope, or capacity without losing efficiency or effectiveness. Ludwig examples confirm its use in diverse contexts, often related to technology, business, and scientific research. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "scalable" functions as an adjective signifying the capacity of a system or solution to grow and adapt effectively to increased demands. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across varied domains. It is particularly prevalent in the news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. While the word is common, it's crucial to use it with precision, substantiating claims of scalability with concrete examples to avoid overuse as a mere buzzword. Related terms, such as "expandable" and "adaptable", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expandable

Focuses on the ability to increase in size or capacity.

Scalable architecture

Specifically refers to a design that allows for easy expansion and growth.

Adaptable

Highlights the ability to adjust to changing requirements.

Scalable solution

Refers to a system or approach that can handle increasing demands and volumes.

Extendable

Emphasizes the capacity to add new features or functionalities.

Versatile

Stresses the capability to be used in various situations or for different purposes.

Adjustable

Implies the ability to modify settings or parameters to suit different needs.

Customizable

Focuses on the ability to tailor something to specific requirements.

Elastic

Emphasizes the capacity to stretch or contract as needed.

Modular

Highlights the ability to be built from separate units or components.

FAQs

How to use "scalable" in a sentence?

Use "scalable" to describe systems or solutions that can efficiently handle increased workloads or demands. For example: "Our cloud infrastructure is designed to be "highly scalable"."

What can I say instead of "scalable"?

You can use alternatives like "expandable", "adaptable", or "extendable" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "scalable" or "scaleable"?

"Scalable" is the correct and more widely accepted spelling. "Scaleable" is a less common variant.

What makes a system "scalable"?

A system is "scalable" if it can maintain performance and efficiency as its workload increases. This often involves adding resources, optimizing processes, or using a distributed architecture.