tally

1 of 2

noun

tal·​ly ˈta-lē 

plural tallies

1

a

: a recorded reckoning or account (as of items or charges)

keep a daily tally of accidents

b

: a score or point made (as in a game)

2

: a device (such as a notched rod or mechanical counter) for visibly recording or accounting especially business transactions

3

a

: a part that corresponds to an opposite or companion member : complement

b

: a state of correspondence or agreement

tally

2 of 2

verb

tallied; tallying

transitive verb

1

a

: to record on or as if on a tally : tabulate

b

: to list or check off (something, such as a cargo) by items

c

: to register (a score) in a contest

2

: to make a count of : reckon

3

: to cause to correspond

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a tally by or as if by tabulating

b

: to register a point in a contest : score

2

: correspond, match

Synonyms of tally

Noun

• count
• score

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• check
• conform
• agree
• fit

Examples of tally in a Sentence

Noun

What is the final tally?

Her second goal turned out to be the game-winning tally.

Verb

He tallied his expenses every day.

The numbers on the old list and the new list don't tally.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The masses have turned to these websites and apps to consume Jackson's most beloved works in the past month or so, and the singer manages a very impressive feat (especially for a legacy act) on multiple tallies in America. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

In total, Drake placed 42 songs on the Hot 100, a new single-week record that leapfrogs Morgan Wallen’s tally of 37 songs on the chart last May. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2026

Verb

The Red Sox tallied at least 15 hits for the third time this season, including at least one knock from every member of the starting nine. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026

Sophomore forward Mya Leon, one of the state’s top scorers with 47 goals, tallied her team-best 16th assist on Margewich’s goal. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English talye, from Anglo-French talie, taille, in part from tailler to cut, measure, count; in part from Medieval Latin tallia, alteration of Latin talea plant cutting, thin piece of wood

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for tally

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

tally

1 of 2 noun

tal·​ly ˈtal-ē 

plural tallies

1

: a device for keeping a count

2

a

: a recorded account

b

: a total recorded

3

: a score or point made (as in a game)

tally

2 of 2 verb

tallied; tallying

1

: to keep a count of

2

: to make a tally : score

3

: correspond sense 1, agree