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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Tiffany Chang, Valley Christian golf: Finished third in the individual CCS championships and helped the Warriors capture a fourth consecutive team section title with a record score of 336. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Daniels couldn’t lead the team to scores after the interception or after a fumble on Pittsburgh’s next drive. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
But Fox scored twice in the second half and Creek beat Grandview for the second time in three weeks. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024 Goalie Yaroslav Askarov made a career-high 48 saves, and Thomas Bordeleau scored two power-play goals in the win. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for score 

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 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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