score

1 of 2

noun

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

score

2 of 2

verb

scored; scoring

transitive verb

1
a
: to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally : record
b
: to enter in a record
c
: to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)
2
: to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches
3
: berate, scold
also : denounce
4
a(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 drugsPoitor Koper
(3)
: win sense 1
scored free tickets over the radio
5
: to determine the merit of : grade
6
a
: to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance medium
b
: to make an orchestration of
c
: to compose a score for (a movie)

intransitive verb

1
: to keep score in a game or contest
2
: to make a score in a game or contest
3
a
: to gain or have the advantage
b
: to be successful: such as
(1)
: to succeed in having sexual intercourse
(2)
: to manage to obtain illicit drugs
scorer noun
Phrases
score points
: to gain favor, status, or advantage

Examples of score in a Sentence

Noun students with low test scores The film's score is by a famous composer. Verb She scored twice in the game. Each correct answer scores two points. In American football, a touchdown scores six points. Who's going to score the game? Judges will score the performances based on their artistic and technical features. Which judges are scoring tonight?
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Adults across all ages in the nation reported lower scores, but the youth appeared to be most dejected. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024 The score by the musical collective PigPen Theatre Co. captures the tuneful Americana mood of the era, and mixes it up with songs ranging from swing to folk. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 The score comes from Tony- and Grammy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Some Like It Hot, Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, etc.), who famously penned over two dozen songs for the television show. Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 The film, including its dialogue and score, have also seeped into the music of Halsey, Jhené Aiko, Kelly Clarkson, and more. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 If only the score had been willing to be as untethered from gravity as the rest of the show. Elisabeth Vincentelli, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The score drops off at 742mm and f/11-16 (1,900-1,700 lines), but that makes sense given that the R7's sensor uses physically smaller pixels than the R5 (diffraction sets in earlier in the f-stop sequence). PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 Rozier made the free throw to complete the four-point play and tie the score at 100 with 1:24 remaining. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Presidential primary results have shown Trump struggling to win back voters in the suburbs and among more moderate and independent-leaning blocs -- the same sore spots where President Joe Biden was able to run up the score in the 2020 general election, exit polling found. Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
Later that evening, Florian Wirtz scored Germany’s fastest ever international goal as his team claimed a 2-0 victory against France in Lyon, taking just a second longer than Baumgartner to find the back of the net. Issy Ronald, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 Smith scored power-play goals at the 5:46 and 8:37 marks of the first period as the Golden Eagles took an early 2-0 lead. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2024 Westwood ripped a shot from 19 yards out for the lead, and Agyemang scored from the left side of the box. Observer Wire Reports, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2024 All seven goals have been scored by different players. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024 Lampkin scored 21 points and added six rebounds and five assists. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2024 Yet after all that work, the Wizards opened the second half on a 17-7 run to push their lead back to 12 thanks largely to Kuzma, who scored 24 points in his first 19:32. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024 While free upgrades are rare, travelers can ask to pay for a seat upgrade any time between booking and boarding their flight Flight attendants are sharing their insider tips on how to score an upgrade on your next flight. Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024 Bryant scores 60 points in the Lakers’ 121-119 win over Memphis. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'score.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of score was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near score

Cite this Entry

“Score.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/score. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

score

1 of 2 noun
ˈskō(ə)r How to pronounce score (audio)
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
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
6
: to arrange (a musical composition) for performance
scorer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on score

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