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

To ensure the fairness and credibility of our readers’ poll, any votes originating from the same IP address that exceed 20 submissions will be excluded from the final tally. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026

Director Emerald Fennell’s bold take on the classic novel has collected $38 million over the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend in North America and a promising $45 million internationally, delivering a global tally of $83 million. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026

Verb

Marin Mooney tallied 14 points as Nantucket (10-10) edged Sturgis West 37-36 in the Cape and Islands League. —Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

Emlen Tunnell, who from 1948-1961 tallied 79 interceptions for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers in making the NFL’s 50th and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 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