SAT words about size and scale.
69 words the Digital SAT draws on when a passage turns to size and scale — each with its part of speech, a plain-English definition, and an example sentence showing how it behaves in context.
Vocabulary on the Digital SAT is tested in context, not in isolation: a Words in Context question hands you a sentence with a blank and four plausible-looking candidates, and the winner is the one whose shade of meaning fits. Studying words in a meaning-group like this one is the fastest way to build that discrimination — you learn size and scale as a spectrum rather than as 69 unrelated definitions.
Read the definition, then the example sentence. Say the word aloud. Come back to this theme a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 69 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Size & Scale guide.
a quantity or sum of something
The amount of rainfall this year exceeded all expectations.
to increase in strength, size, or importance
The microphone was used to amplify the speaker's voice.
unlimited; immense
Her boundless energy amazed everyone.
extremely large
The colossal statue dominated the square.
closely and neatly packed together
The compact design saved space.
made up of multiple parts; to make something worse
The compound interest on the loan added up quickly.
restricted in area or volume
The confined space felt claustrophobic.
determining the total number of something
The staff spent hours counting the ballots after the election.
uncomfortably small or restricted
The cramped office lacked ventilation.
reduced or limited in extent
Budget constraints curtailed the scope of the research project.
to make or become less; to reduce in size, importance, or value
Nothing could diminish her enthusiasm for the upcoming adventure.
extremely or unusually small
The diminutive dog fit in a purse.
surpasses or outshines; obscures or blocks light from
Her talent eclipses that of everyone else in the competition.
to surround or include; to contain or cover comprehensively
The new policy will encompass all aspects of employee welfare.
sweeps over and completely surrounds or covers
The fire quickly engulfs any dry vegetation in its path.
to increase rapidly in intensity
Tensions escalated between the two countries.
to go beyond the limits of; to be greater than
Sales this quarter exceed our most optimistic projections.
thorough and comprehensive; including all elements
The report provides an exhaustive analysis of market trends.
to increase in size, number, or importance; to unfold or spread out
The company plans to expand its operations into new markets.
increases in size, scope, or extent; additions or extensions
The business underwent several expansions over the past decade.
covering a wide area; extensive
The expansive view impressed visitors.
made longer in duration or scope; stretched out
The deadline was extended by two weeks due to unforeseen circumstances.
covering a large area; having a wide scope or range
The library has an extensive collection of rare manuscripts.
covering a large area; having wide scope
Extensive research supported the theory.
in a weak or slight manner; barely perceptibly
She could faintly hear music coming from the distant room.
having limits or bounds
Earth's resources are finite.
enormous; gigantic
They served gargantuan portions of food.
of very great size or extent
The gigantic whale surfaced nearby.
belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned
He picked up his coat and headed toward the door.
extremely large or great
The immense desert stretched endlessly.
becomes or makes greater in size, amount, or degree
The demand for electric vehicles increases every year.
limitless or endless in space or time
The universe may be infinite in extent.
extremely small; minute
The risk was infinitesimal.
to become or make more intense
The storm intensified as it approached the coast.
restricted in size, amount, or extent; not unlimited
We have limited time to complete this project.
restricted in size or amount
Resources were limited during the crisis.
restricted to a particular place; not spread over a wide area
The infection remained localized and did not spread to other organs.
huge; enormous
The mammoth project required years to complete.
so small as to be invisible without a microscope
Microscopic organisms populated the water.
extremely small; tiny
The minuscule text was hard to read.
extremely small
Only minute traces were detected.
average in amount, intensity, or degree; not extreme
She follows a moderate exercise routine to maintain her health.
great in importance, extent, or size
It was a monumental achievement.
increasing greatly in number or quantity; reproducing
The bacteria were multiplying rapidly in the warm petri dish.
attractively small and dainty
The petite woman wore high heels.
remarkably great in extent or size
She had a prodigious talent for music.
very great or intense; showing deep insight
The book had a profound impact on her worldview.
amounts or numbers of something
The recipe calls for large quantities of flour and sugar.
to make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size
We need to reduce our expenses to stay within budget.
made smaller or less in amount, degree, or size
The store offered items at reduced prices during the sale.
limited in extent, number, or scope; not open to everyone
Access to the building is restricted to authorized personnel.
imposing restrictions or limitations on activities or freedoms
The restrictive dress code prohibited casual clothing.
the relative size or extent of something; a system of measurement
The disaster was on a scale never seen before.
having ample space
The spacious apartment had high ceilings.
extends across; covers the full extent of a period of time
Her career spans more than four decades.
extending or lengthening; making something cover more area or time
The desert stretching before them seemed endless.
of considerable importance, size, or worth; solidly built
The company made a substantial investment in new technology.
included or absorbed into something larger or more comprehensive
The smaller department was subsumed into the larger division.
something added to complete or enhance something else; to add to
She takes vitamin supplements to improve her health.
provided in addition to what is already present or available
The teacher provided supplemental materials for extra practice.
completing or enhancing something; additional
The report includes supplementary data in the appendix.
extremely tall, especially relative to surroundings
The towering skyscraper dominated the skyline.
going beyond the limits of; surpassing ordinary experience
Her music had a transcending quality that touched listeners from all backgrounds.
present, appearing, or found everywhere
Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society.
relating to or affecting all people or things in the world; applicable everywhere
The desire for happiness seems to be a universal human trait.
of very great extent or quantity
The vast ocean seemed endless.
to decrease in strength or intensity
Public interest in the scandal began to wane.
to increase in size, strength, or intensity
His enthusiasm waxed as the project progressed.
found or distributed over a large area or among many people
The disease caused widespread concern among health officials.
Prefer paper? The printable Size & Scale guide adds a memory cue to every entry, ready to print — 65 of the 69 words on this page. For the alphabetical master list, see the SAT vocabulary list; to be quizzed on these words instead of reading them, use the vocabulary trainer or try some Words in Context practice.
31 themes down, one test to go.
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