Score — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈskȯr/

Meaning & Definition of Score

Score (noun)

  1. twenty
  2. a group of 20 things —often used in combination with a cardinal number
  3. an indefinitely large number

Score (verb)

  1. to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally, record
  2. to enter in a record
  3. to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)

Score (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to mark with or as if with a line or groove

    "the glassblower scored the glass rod first so that it would break cleanly"

    similar: groove, scribe, seam
    related: abrade, file, graze, mill, rasp, scarify, scratch, bevel, chamfer, flute

  2. to gain (as points or runs in a game) as credit towards one's total number of points

    "he scored the winning goal in the final minute of play"

    similar: rack up, tally
    related: triumph, win, best, defeat
    near: lose

  3. to obtain (as a goal) through effort

    "finally scored a good job after years of hard work"

    similar: achieve, attain, bag, chalk up, clock (up) (chiefly British), gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), rack up, ring up, win
    related: acquire, capture, carry, draw, garner, get, land, obtain, procure, realize, secure, amount (to), approach, equal, match, measure up (to), meet, rival, tie, touch, beat, excel, outdo, surpass, top
    near: fall short (of), miss, fail (at), lose

  4. to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

    "scored her for failing to report the security breach immediately"

    similar: baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, tongue-lash, upbraid, lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task
    related: admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove, abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (slang), excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate, belittle, disparage, mock, put down, ridicule, scoff, scorn
    near: approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise

Score (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong

    "a whistle-blower who was more interested in settling a score with his employers than in exposing an injustice"

    similar: down (chiefly British), grievance, grudge, resentment
    related: condemnation, offense, umbrage, complaint, dudgeon, huff, peeve, pique, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, hostility, rancor

  2. something (as money) which is owed

    "we'll pay the full score next week"

    similar: arrearage, arrears, debt, indebtedness, liability, obligation
    related: bond, debit, delinquency, bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency
    near: quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Score

The most common words with a similar meaning to Score:

Chiefly British: clock (up), down
groove, scribe, seam, rack up, tally, achieve, attain, bag, chalk up, gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), ring up, win, baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, lecture, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, tongue-lash

Related Words for Score

abrade, file, graze, mill, rasp, scarify, scratch, bevel, chamfer, flute, triumph, best, defeat, acquire, capture, carry, draw, garner, get, land, obtain, procure, realize, secure, amount (to), approach, equal, match, measure up (to), meet

Near Antonyms of Score

lose, fall short (of), miss, fail (at), approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise, quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

Word Forms of Score

Inflections: scores, scored, scoring

Derived words: scorer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Score

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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Score

Words & Phrases Containing Score

score points, score off, score to settle, Apgar score, box score, hog score, line score, raw score

Frequently Asked Questions about Score

What does "Score" mean?

"Score" means twenty. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: twenty. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Score"?

Other words for "Score" include groove, scribe, seam, rack up, tally, achieve, attain and bag. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Score" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Score"?

There are 162 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Score". Common alternatives include groove, scribe, seam, rack up, tally, achieve, attain, bag, chalk up and clock (up).

How do you use "Score" in a sentence?

Examples of "Score" in a sentence: "the glassblower scored the glass rod first so that it would break cleanly"; "he scored the winning goal in the final minute of play"; "finally scored a good job after years of hard work".

Is "Score" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Score" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Score" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Score" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Score"?

"Score" is pronounced /ˈskȯr/.

What is the origin of the word "Score"?

"Score" comes from Middle English scor, from Old Norse skor notch, tally, twenty; akin to Old English scieran to cut shear. First known use: 14th century.