Etimology
From Middle English score, skore, schore, from Old English scoru (“notch; tally; score”), from Old Norse skor, from Proto-Germanic *skurō (“incision; tear; rift”), which is related to *skeraną (“to cut”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“cut”). Cognate with Icelandic skora, Swedish skåra, Danish skår. Related to shear. For the sense “twenty”: The mark on a tally made by drovers for every twenty beasts passing through a tollgate.
noun
score (plural scores)
The total number of goals, points, runs, etc. earned by a participant in a game.
The number of points accrued by each of the participants in a game, expressed as a ratio or a series of numbers.
The performance of an individual or group on an examination or test, expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol; a grade.
Twenty, 20.
(gambling) An amount of money won in gambling; winnings.
A distance of twenty yards, in ancient archery and gunnery.
A weight of twenty pounds.
(music) The written form of a musical composition showing all instrumental and vocal parts.
(music) The music of a movie or play.
Subject.
Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; debt.
(US, crime, slang) a criminal act, especially:
(originally US, vulgar, slang) A sexual conquest.
(UK, regional) In the Lowestoft area, a narrow pathway running down a cliff to the beach.
Examples
The player with the highest score is the winner.
The score is 8-1 even though it's not even half-time!
The test scores for this class were high.
Some words have scores of meanings.
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.
I went on trying for fish along the western bank down the river, but only small trout rose at my flies, and a score was the total catch.
Use a few “introductory plays” to become known to a casino before you go for a big score.
At Markes full fortie score they vs'd to Prick and Roue.
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.
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.
But left the trade, as many more / Have lately done on the same score.
You act your kindneſs on Cydaria’s ſcore.
The local village priest is expected to pass through the Holi bonfire, which, in the opinion of the faithful, cannot burn him. Indeed he holds his land rent-free simply on the score of his being fire-proof.
Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used.
He parted well, and paid his score.
Let's pull a score!
Batman: Dangerous crowd you're stealing from.Catwoman: Jesus. Is this how you get your kicks, hon? Sneaking up on girls in the dark?Batman: Is that why you work in the club? It was all just a score?
He made a big score.
Ah, who gives a shit? The only score I'm interested in is the one I might make if some foxy chicks start pilin' outta there.
Above the harbour, steeply up the hill, run The Bolts, narrow stepped passages, equivalent of The Scores of Lowestoft and The Rows of Great Yarmouth.
Related words
synonyms
(prostitute's client): see Thesaurus:prostitute's client
verb
score (third-person singular simple present scores, present participle scoring, simple past and past participle scored)
(transitive) To cut a notch or a groove in a surface.
(intransitive) To record the tally of points for a game, a match, or an examination.
(transitive, intransitive) To obtain something desired.
(transitive) To provide (a film, etc.) with a musical score.
Examples
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, […].
The baker scored the cake so that the servers would know where to slice it.
"Of course it would be hypocritical for me to pretend that I regret what Abraham did. After all, I've scored by it."
It is unusual for a team to score a hundred goals in one game.
Pelé scores again!
And White Hart Lane was stunned when Rovers scored just five minutes after the restart in front of their away following.
At the end of first grade, the children scored 80 percent correct on this test, a value that remained unchanged through third grade.
No, Butthead, that's my point. You didn't score. You got a zero.
[…] he scored big by hitting the jack pot at the Bellagio . The next day, he won $15,000 on the nickel machines at the Palm Casino!
What am I doing in this place? / Why does the doctor have no face? / Oh, I can't crawl across the floor / Ah, can't you see, Sister Morphine, I'm trying to score
I jump up, bubble up, what's in store? / Love is the drug and I need to score
I scored some drugs last night.
Did you score tickets for the concert?
Chris finally scored with Pat last week.
Gotta find a chick who'll give you more / Well, there's a spot that I've discovered / Where a guy's guaranteed to score
Godfather II is nothing like ready. It is not yet scored, and thus not mixed. There remain additional shooting, looping, editing.
Robertson scored several of Scorsese’s films, including Raging Bull, Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street and The Irishman.
Related words
synonyms
(to cut a groove in a surface): groove, notch
(to record the score): keep, score, tally
(to earn points in a game):
(to achieve a score in a test):
(to acquire or gain): come by, earn, obtain; see also Thesaurus:receive
(to extract a bribe): shake down
(to obtain a sexual favor): pull
(to provide with a musical score): soundtrack
interjection
score
(US, slang) Acknowledgement of success