The word scope is defined as the area in which something acts or operates or has power or control. It also means the setting or the state of the environment in which a situation exists. The word scope is a suffix added to the word telescope, which is defined as an instrument which magnifies the images of distant objects. It is also the suffix which is added to the word oscilloscope. An oscilloscope is defined as a piece of electronic equipment which provides visual images of varying electrical quantities.

When the word -scope is used as a suffix in the English language, it denotes the action of viewing and making observations. It is derived from the Latin suffix -scopium, which means an instrument which is used for the purpose of viewing. This suffix, in turn, is derived from the ancient Greek verb skopien, which means to examine. The synonyms of the word scope are the words range, extent, capacity, span, reach, compass, scale and possibility.