score

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

Synonyms of score

• grudge
• grievance
• resentment

Examples of score in a Sentence

students with low test scores

The film's score is by a famous composer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 22-year-old French superstar checked back in, showing no signs of any discomfort, but all the momentum was with the Knicks as the quarter ended with the score knotted up at 76-76. —Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Less than five minutes since the Spurs took a 67-54 lead in the third quarter, New York has tied the score. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026

Sports Edition Coach — a spot to gather clues and discuss (and share) scores. —Mark Cooper, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Doctors typically combine fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C, fasting insulin and a lipid profile, then add more specific tools like HOMA-IR or a Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance score when the picture warrants a closer look. —Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at 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

Rhymes for score

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

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