• Score

    Pronunciation

    • RP enPR: skôr, IPA: /skɔː/
    • GenAm enPR: skōr, IPA: /skoɹ/, /skɔɹ/
    • Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)

    Origin

    From the Old English scora ("notch") (and hence, a tally). (For twenty: The mark on a tally made by drovers for every twenty beasts passing through a tollgate.)

    Full definition of score

    Noun

    score

    (plural scores)
    1. The total number of points earned by a participant in a game.
      The player with the highest score is the winner.
    2. The number of points accrued by each of the participants in a game, expressed as a ratio or a series of numbers.
      The score is 8-1 although it's not even half-time!
    3. The performance of an individual or group on an examination or test, expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol; a grade.
      The test scores for this class were high.
    4. (cricket) A presentation of how many runs a side has scored, and how many wickets have been lost.
      England had a score of 107 for 5 at lunch.
    5. (cricket) The number of runs scored by a batsman, or by a side, in either an innings or a match.
    6. Twenty, 20 (number).
      • 1863 November 19, Abraham Lincoln, , based on the signed "Bliss Copy""Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
    7. Some words have scores of meanings.
    8. A distance of twenty yards, in ancient archery and gunnery.
    9. A weight of twenty pounds.
    10. (music) One or more parts of a musical composition in a format indicating how the composition is to be played.
      • 2013-06-29, Travels and travails, Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.
    11. Subject.
      • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. Stephanus pagination.Well, although we haven't discussed the views of all those who make precise reckonings of being and not being, we've done enough on that score.
    12. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
      • HudibrasBut left the trade, as many more
        Have lately done on the same score.
      • DrydenYou act your kindness in Cydria's score.
    13. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
      • ShakespeareWhereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used.
    14. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness.
      • ShakespeareHe parted well, and paid his score.

    Derived terms

    Verb

    1. (intransitive) To earn points in a game.Pelé scores again!
      • 2011, September 29, Jon Smith, Tottenham 3 - 1 Shamrock Rovers, And White Hart Lane was stunned when Rovers scored just five minutes after the restart in front of their away following.
    2. (transitive) To earn (points) in a game.It is unusual for a team to score a hundred goals in one game.
    3. (intransitive) To achieve (a score) in e.g. a test.
      • 2004, Diane McGuinness, Early reading instruction: what science really tells up about how to teach readinAt the end of first grade, the children scored 80 percent correct on this test, a value that remained unchanged through third grade.
    4. (intransitive) To record (the score) for a game or a match.
    5. (transitive) To scratch (paper or cardboard) with a sharp implement to make it easier to fold.
    6. (transitive) To make fine, shallow lines with a sharp implement, for example as cutting indications.
      • 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter Foreword, A very neat old woman, still in her good outdoor coat and best beehive hat, was sitting at a polished mahogany table on whose surface there were several scored scratches so deep that a triangular piece of the veneer had come cleanly away, ….
    7. The baker scored the cake so the servers would know where to slice it. To obtain (usually used in reference to illegal drugs, but often sex with a casual partner).I scored some drugs last night.Yes, (see below) this def. includes another, hence, the confusing ambitransitive tag. One must obtain something. Can you hear anyone saying, "Hey, I obtained last night!"
    8. (intransitive, slang) To have sexual intercourse.Chris finally scored with Pat last week.
    9. (transitive, slang) To acquire or gain.Did you score tickets for the concert?
    10. (intransitive) To obtain something desired.
    11. (transitive) To provide (a film, etc.) with a musical score.

    Derived terms

    Derived terms, score-off

    Anagrams

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