score

Everyday

1. A score is the number of points someone gets in a game, a match or a test. tree →
2. To score is to get a point or a goal in a game, or to get a mark in a test. tree →
3. A score is also the written music for a band or orchestra, or the music of a film. tree →
4. An old meaning: a score is 20 things, so «four score» is 80. tree →
5. To score a line is to scratch or cut it into a surface. tree →
6. A score can also be a debt or a grudge that you need to settle. tree →

In the lessons

In school a score is a test mark (a score of 85 out of 100) or points in a game; scores are added, compared or averaged. In sport: score a goal, score a try, the final score, keep score. In stories: «What's the score?» asks how the game stands; «to settle a score» means to get back at someone. In old texts and the Bible «threescore years and ten» is 70 years.

Examples

• Her score was 85 on the test. tree →
• The team scored 3 goals in the second half. tree →
• What is his average score? tree →
• Ann scored 12 more points than Ben. tree →
• The final score was 2–1 to our school. tree →
• Dad kept score while we played cards. tree →
• The film's score was played by a big orchestra. tree →
• «Four score and seven years ago» means 87 years ago. tree →
• She scored the cardboard with scissors so it would fold neatly. tree →
• What I have done was in payment of an old score. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a score, scores. Past: scored. «Score» (verb) takes the points: score 3 goals, score 90 on a test. «Scores of» means many (scores of people). Points to add, compare or average. Trap: «four score» in old texts means 4 × 20 = 80. Trap: a higher score is usually better, but in golf the lowest score wins. «Out of» gives the whole: 18 out of 20.

In Jewish tradition

Chronicles uses it to count soldiers, as in "four hundred three-score and ten thousand men." In the primary lessons: In school a score is a test mark (a score of 85 out of 100) or points in a game; scores are added, compared or averaged. In sport: score a goal, score a try, the final score, keep score. In stories: «What's the score?» asks how the game stands; «to settle a score» means to get back at someone. In old texts and the Bible «threescore years and ten» is 70 years.

Examples

• And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and three score and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters. (Torah EXO.15.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was a hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and three-score and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: (Torah EXO.38.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And as for the redemption of the two hundred and three score and thirteen of the first-born of the children of Israel, that are over and above the number of the Levites, (Torah NUM.3.46, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and a hundred thousand men that drew sword; and Judah was four hundred three-score and ten thousand men that drew sword. (Writings 1CH.21.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun: a score, scores. Past: scored. «Score» (verb) takes the points: score 3 goals, score 90 on a test. «Scores of» means many (scores of people). Points to add, compare or average. Trap: «four score» in old texts means 4 × 20 = 80. Trap: a higher score is usually better, but in golf the lowest score wins. «Out of» gives the whole: 18 out of 20.