1 score
Pronounced:
/ˈskoɚ/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural scoresMeaning:
1 [count] a : the number of points, goals, runs, etc., that each player or team has in a game or contest ▪ The score was tied at 1–1 [=each team had scored one run] after the second inning. ▪ The score (of the game) at halftime was 21–14. ▪ What's the score? ▪ The final score was 4–3. [=the score was 4–3 at the end of the game] b chiefly US : the number of points that someone gets for correct answers on a test, exam, etc. ▪ students with low/high test scores ▪ Only one person had/got a perfect score on the test. [=only one person answered all the questions correctly]
2 [count] a : a document showing all the notes of a piece of music ▪ a musical/orchestral score b : the music that is written for a movie or play ▪ The film's score is by a famous composer.
3 [count] : a mark or cut that is made in a surface with a sharp object
4 plural score [count] formal + literary a : the number 20 ▪ She has written more than a score of books. [=more than 20 books] b : a group of 20 people or things ▪ three score years [=60 years] ▪ A score of people were in attendance. —see also fourscore, threescore
5 scores [plural] formal : a large number or amount of people or things —usually + of ▪ We have received scores of suggestions.
2 [count] a : a document showing all the notes of a piece of music ▪ a musical/orchestral score b : the music that is written for a movie or play ▪ The film's score is by a famous composer.
3 [count] : a mark or cut that is made in a surface with a sharp object
4 plural score [count] formal + literary a : the number 20 ▪ She has written more than a score of books. [=more than 20 books] b : a group of 20 people or things ▪ three score years [=60 years] ▪ A score of people were in attendance. —see also fourscore, threescore
5 scores [plural] formal : a large number or amount of people or things —usually + of ▪ We have received scores of suggestions.
by the score
: in large numbers or amounts ▪ Factories are closing by the score. [=a lot of factories are closing] ▪ He's had girlfriends by the score. [=he has had lots of girlfriends]
even the score
1 : to get enough points, goals, runs, etc., to have the same score as your opponent : to tie the score in a game ▪ They evened the score at 5–5. ▪ We evened the score in the second quarter.
2 : to harm or punish someone who has harmed you ▪ She felt they had mistreated her, and she was determined to even the score.
2 : to harm or punish someone who has harmed you ▪ She felt they had mistreated her, and she was determined to even the score.
keep score
: to officially record the number of points, goals, runs, etc., that each player or team gets in a game or contest ▪ We'll just play for fun. We won't even keep score. ▪ Who's keeping score? —sometimes used figuratively ▪ If you're keeping score at home, this is the third time that he has run for mayor and lost.
know the score
informal : to have a good understanding of a situation ▪ Now that she knows the score, she won't make the same mistake again.
on that/this score
: with regard to the thing that is being discussed ▪ The work will be done on time. You have nothing to worry about on that score.
settle a/the score
: to harm or punish someone who has harmed you ▪ The movie is about a woman who seeks out an old enemy to settle a score. ▪ He says he has a few (old) scores to settle. ▪ She wants to settle the score with her ex-husband.