score

1 of 2

noun

ˈskȯr 

plural scores

1

or plural score

a

: twenty

b

: a group of 20 things

—often used in combination with a cardinal number

fourscore

c

: an indefinitely large number

2

a

: a line (such as a scratch or incision) made with or as if with a sharp instrument

b(1)

: a mark used as a starting point or goal

(2)

: a mark used for keeping account

3

a

: an account or reckoning originally kept by making marks on a tally

b

: amount due : indebtedness

4

: grudge

a score to settle

5

a

: reason, ground

was accepted on the score of high academic achievement

b

: subject, topic

has nothing to say on that score

6

a

: the copy of a musical composition in written or printed notation

b

: a musical composition

specifically : the music for a movie or theatrical production

c

: a complete description of a dance composition in choreographic notation

7

a

: a number that expresses accomplishment (as in a game or test) or excellence (as in quality) either absolutely in points gained or by comparison to a standard

b

: an act (such as a goal, run, or touchdown) in any of various games or contests that gains points

8

: success in obtaining something (such as money or drugs) especially through illegal or irregular means

9

: the stark inescapable facts of a situation

knows the score

score

2 of 2

verb

scored; scoring

transitive verb

1

a

: to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally : record

b

: to enter in a record

c

: to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)

2

: to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches

3

: berate, scold

also : denounce

4

a(1)

: to make (a score) in a game or contest

scored a touchdown

scored three points

(2)

: to enable (a base runner) to make a score

(3)

: to have as a value in a game or contest : count

a touchdown scores six points

b(1)

: achieve, attain

scored a dazzling success

(2)

: acquire

help a traveler score local drugs

—Poitor Koper

(3)

: win sense 1

scored free tickets over the radio

5

: to determine the merit of : grade

6

a

: to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance medium

b

: to make an orchestration of

c

: to compose a score for (a movie)

intransitive verb

1

: to keep score in a game or contest

2

: to make a score in a game or contest

3

a

: to gain or have the advantage

b

: to be successful: such as

(1)

: to succeed in having sexual intercourse

(2)

: to manage to obtain illicit drugs

c

: rate entry 2

scorer noun

Phrases

score points

: to gain favor, status, or advantage

Synonyms

Noun

• down [chiefly British]
• grievance
• grudge
• resentment

Verb

• groove
• scribe
• seam

Examples of score in a Sentence

Noun

students with low test scores

The film's score is by a famous composer.

Verb

She scored twice in the game.

Each correct answer scores two points.

In American football, a touchdown scores six points.

Who's going to score the game?

Judges will score the performances based on their artistic and technical features.

Which judges are scoring tonight?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their grade would count as their test score for the unit. —USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024

For active wear, sweat-wicking movement-friendly clothing like the Columbia Women's Pleasant Creek Stretch Short, on sale for $32, or Under Armour Men's Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve T-Shirt, a score at $12, are perfect for summer treks. —Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English scor, from Old Norse skor notch, tally, twenty; akin to Old English scieran to cut — more at shear

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing score

• Apgar score
• box score
• by the score
• even the score
• final score
• hog score
• keep score
• know the score
• line score
• on that/this score
• perfect score
• raw score
• score off
• score points
• score to settle
• settle a/the score
• standard score
• z-score

Kids Definition

score

1 of 2 noun

ˈskō(ə)r 

ˈskȯ(ə)r

plural scores

1

or plural score

a

: twenty

b

: a group of 20 things

—often used in combination with a cardinal number

fivescore

2

: a line made with or as if with a sharp instrument

3

: a duty or injury kept in mind for later action

had some old scores to settle

4

: reason entry 1 sense 1b, ground

you have nothing to worry about on that score

5

: the complete written music showing all of the individual parts of a large piece (as a symphony)

6

a

: a number expressing accomplishment (as in a game or a test) or worth (as of a product)

had a score of 80 out of a possible 100

b

: a record of points made by competing teams or players

the final score was 4–3

c

: an act (as a goal, run, or touchdown) that gains points in any of various games or contests

7

: the facts of a situation

we won't know what the score is until the laboratory results are in

scoreless

-ləs

adjective

score

2 of 2 verb

scored; scoring

1

a

: to set down in an account : record

b

: to keep score in a game or contest

2

: to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches

3

: berate, scold

4

a

: to make or cause to make a score in or as if in a game : tally

score a run

b

: achieve sense 2, win

scored a big success

5

: grade entry 1 sense 3, mark

6

: to arrange (a musical composition) for performance

scorer noun