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noun \ˈskȯr\

Simple Definition of score

  • : the number of points, goals, runs, etc., that each player or team has in a game or contest

  • : the number of points that someone gets for correct answers on a test, exam, etc.

  • : a document showing all the notes of a piece of music

Full Definition of score

plural scores

  1. 1 or plural score a :  twentyb :  a group of 20 things —often used in combination with a cardinal number <fourscore>c :  an indefinitely large number

  2. 2a :  a line (as a scratch or incision) made with or as if with a sharp instrumentb (1) :  a mark used as a starting point or goal (2) :  a mark used for keeping account

  3. 3a :  an account or reckoning originally kept by making marks on a tallyb :  amount due :  indebtedness

  4. 4 :  grudge <a score to settle>

  5. 5a :  reason, ground <was accepted on the score of high academic achievement>b :  subject, topic <has nothing to say on that score>

  6. 6a :  the copy of a musical composition in written or printed notationb :  a musical composition; specifically :  the music for a movie or theatrical productionc :  a complete description of a dance composition in choreographic notation

  7. 7a :  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 standardb :  an act (as a goal, run, or touchdown) in any of various games or contests that gains points

  8. 8 :  success in obtaining something (as money or drugs) especially through illegal or irregular means

  9. 9 :  the stark inescapable facts of a situation <knows the score>

Examples of score

  1. students with low test scores

  2. The film's score is by a famous composer.

Origin of score

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

Other Number-Related Terms




Simple Definition of score

  • : to get points, goals, runs, etc., in a game or contest

  • : to be worth (a particular number of points) in a game or contest

  • : to officially record the number of points, goals, runs, etc., that each player or team gets in a game or contest

Full Definition of score


  1. transitive verb
  2. 1a :  to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally :  recordb :  to enter in a recordc :  to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)

  3. 2 :  to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches

  4. 3 :  berate, scold; also :  denounce

  5. 4a (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 1 <scored free tickets over the radio>

  6. 5 :  to determine the merit of :  grade

  7. 6a :  to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance mediumb :  to make an orchestration ofc :  to compose a score for (a movie)

  8. intransitive verb
  9. 1 :  to keep score in a game or contest

  10. 2 :  to make a score in a game or contest

  11. 3a :  to gain or have the advantageb :  to be successful: as (1) :  to succeed in having sexual intercourse (2) :  to manage to obtain illicit drugs c :  3rate

scor·er noun
score points
  1. :  to gain favor, status, or advantage

Examples of score

  1. She scored twice in the game.

  2. Each correct answer scores two points.

  3. In American football, a touchdown scores six points.

  4. Who's going to score the game?

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

  6. Which judges are scoring tonight?

14th Century

First Known Use of score

14th century

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up score? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).


February 10, 2016

to put in good humor

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