score
score — verb
1. to achieve one or more points in a sport or competitive game by sending a ball o
to achieve one or more points in a sport or competitive game by sending a ball or puck into the designated scoring area.
Gita scored the winning goal in the final minute of the match.
score + noun (goal/point/run) in sports context
The team did not score at all during the first half of the game.
intransitive: score without a direct object
Otis scored three points in the last quarter to tie the basketball game.
A player can score a goal from almost anywhere on the field if the angle is right.
passive construction with 'can' showing possibility
Eshe scored twice in her first hockey match and the crowd cheered loudly.
- score a goal
- score a point
- score a run
- score a touchdown
- score a basket
- score a try
- miss
failing to score when attempting
Grammar Patterns
score + noun (goal/point/run)
score (intransitive)
Usage Note
In sports commentary, this sense is frequently used without an object (e.g. 'The home team has yet to score.'). Common objects include 'goal', 'point', 'run', 'touchdown', and 'basket'.
Common Mistakes
2. to earn a specific numerical result or letter grade when sitting for a test or e
to earn a specific numerical result or letter grade when sitting for a test or exam.
Nadia scored 92 on her maths final and was thrilled with the result.
score + number + on + [test]
The student scored the highest marks in the entire school in English literature.
Tomás scored well on the science exam after weeks of careful study.
score + adverb (well/poorly/badly)
You need to score at least 60 percent to pass this certification test.
Hamza scored a perfect grade on his driving test last Thursday morning.
- score + number on a test
- score well on an exam
- score high marks
- score a perfect grade
- fail
to not reach the required score
Grammar Patterns
score + number + on + test/exam
Usage Note
Subject is always a person taking the test. The score can be a number, a percentage, or a letter grade. Frequently followed by 'on' or 'in' to name the test or subject.
Common Mistakes
3. to judge a test, exam, or piece of work and decide how many points it is worth,
to judge a test, exam, or piece of work and decide how many points it is worth, assigning a final mark or grade.
The teacher spent the whole weekend scoring the final exam papers for her class.
score + [test/exam/paper] as direct object
Each essay is scored on a scale from one to ten by two independent readers.
passive: be scored on [a scale]
Yael scored the spelling quizzes and gave each child written feedback on their progress.
A computer program scores the multiple-choice section of the test automatically.
- score a test
- score an exam
- score a paper
- score a quiz
- score on a scale
Grammar Patterns
score + test/exam
score + student's work
Usage Note
Subject is the person (or system) assigning the marks, not the test-taker. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 is about receiving a score; sense 3 is about giving a score.
Common Mistakes
4. to track and write down the scores earned by each team or player during a sporti
to track and write down the scores earned by each team or player during a sporting event, updating the tally as play progresses.
My uncle volunteered to score for the local tennis tournament again this summer.
score (intransitive) — keep score for an event
The person who scores at a boxing match must watch every round very carefully.
Henry scored for the team while the others played the match on Saturday.
Can you score this round? I need to step off the field for a moment.
imperative/question: 'Can you score?' for keeping score
- score for a match
- score at a tournament
- score a round
- keep score
the phrasal equivalent; more common in conversation
- record
more formal; not specific to games
- tally
implies a running count, usually on paper
Grammar Patterns
score (intransitive) — keep a record of points
Usage Note
This sense is always intransitive — the object is the game or event, not the points themselves. The person doing this is called a 'scorekeeper' or 'scorer'. Frequently used in amateur sports settings.
Common Mistakes
5. to achieve a positive result in a particular undertaking or gain an advantage —
to achieve a positive result in a particular undertaking or gain an advantage — for example, landing a business deal, a political win, or a personal triumph.
The company scored a big success with its new smartphone launch in Tokyo.
score + noun (success/victory/deal)
Mia scored a major advantage in the negotiation by offering an early discount.
The young director scored with her debut film, winning two awards at the festival.
intransitive: score with + [achievement]
Takeshi scored a contract with a large hotel chain after months of hard work.
- score a success
- score a victory
- score a hit
- score a contract
- score a deal
- score an advantage
- fail
to not achieve the desired result
Grammar Patterns
score + noun (success/victory/hit)
score (intransitive) — succeed
Usage Note
This figurative sense is common in business, entertainment, and competitive situations. It often appears in fixed collocations such as 'score a hit', 'score a success', or 'score a victory'. The intransitive use ('score with something') is more informal.
Common Mistakes
6. to get or obtain something, especially something desirable or difficult to find
to get or obtain something, especially something desirable or difficult to find — for example, tickets, a seat, or a bargain in a shop.
Élise scored two front-row tickets to the concert before they sold out completely.
informal: score + desirable object (tickets/seats)
Mark scored a great deal on a used bicycle from a neighbour moving away.
My sister scored a free sample of the new perfume at the department store today.
The reporter scored an exclusive interview with the famous author before the book launch.
score + exclusive/rare object (interview/deal)
Henry scored a corner table at the busy restaurant without a reservation.
- score tickets
- score a deal
- score a bargain
- score an interview
- score a table
- score a free sample
Grammar Patterns
score + noun (ticket/item/object)
Usage Note
This is an informal sense, common in everyday conversation but not appropriate in formal writing. The object is typically something desirable or hard to obtain. The sibling sense 7 is a more specific, illegal-drug-related sub-sense of this meaning.
Common Mistakes
7. to obtain illegal drugs, usually by buying them
to obtain illegal drugs, usually by buying them
Andrei scored some marijuana from a friend in the next town.
score + object (drug type)
Zuri was worried that her cousin was trying to score in the park after dark.
intransitive: trying to score
The detective watched a man score heroin in the alley behind the bar.
score + specific drug name
Kian scored enough painkillers from the dealer to last a full week.
The film shows teenagers who try to score before every school party.
infinitive after 'try to'
- score + [name of drug]
- try to score
- go out to score
- score from + [person]
Grammar Patterns
score + object (drug)
score (no object)
Usage Note
This sense appears mainly in informal speech about drug culture. The direct object is always an illegal drug or a colloquial reference to one. An intransitive use ('to score') is also common without specifying the substance.
Common Mistakes
8. to sleep with a person you have only just met, especially at a party or social e
to sleep with a person you have only just met, especially at a party or social event
Eric bragged to his friends that he had scored at the club the night before.
intransitive: had scored at [location]
Shanti rolled her eyes when her roommate claimed to have scored at the wedding reception.
The older villagers disapproved of young people trying to score at the summer festival.
trying to score — purposive infinitive
Jude's friends teased him for spending the whole night trying to score instead of dancing.
The documentary explored how young men compete to see who can score the most times.
compete to score — competitive framing
- score at [location/event]
- score with someone
- try to score
- manage to score
- hook up
similar register, slightly broader — can mean any casual romantic or sexual encounter
- sleep with
less crude, more neutral in register
Grammar Patterns
score (no object)
score with + someone
Usage Note
This sense is very informal and can be considered crude. It typically refers to casual sexual encounters with new partners and is almost never used in formal or polite conversation.
Common Mistakes
9. to mark a hard surface by cutting or scratching it with a sharp object
to mark a hard surface by cutting or scratching it with a sharp object
The children scored the wooden table with their toy knives while playing pirates.
score + surface + with + tool
Xiu scored her initials into the oak tree with a pocket knife.
score + pattern + into + surface
The potter scored the clay bowl before attaching the handle to make it stick.
purpose: scoring clay for adhesion
Someone scored the glass tabletop while moving the sofa across the room.
The baker scored the bread in a crisscross pattern before putting it in the oven.
cooking context: scoring bread dough
- score + surface/object
- score + pattern/initials + into + surface
- score with + [tool]
- score clay / score pottery
- score bread / score a loaf
Grammar Patterns
score + object + into/on + surface
score + object (surface)
Usage Note
This sense can describe either deliberate marking (scoring initials, scoring clay for adhesion, scoring bread before baking) or accidental damage (scratching a surface while moving furniture). When used deliberately, the tool is usually sharp or pointed.
Common Mistakes
10. to notate or adapt a musical work so that each instrument or voice has a part to
to notate or adapt a musical work so that each instrument or voice has a part to play in a performance
Christopher scored the piano sonata for a small chamber orchestra.
score + existing piece + for + instruments
The composer was hired to score the film for a full symphony orchestra.
score + [film/movie]
Linh scored the traditional folk melody for two violins and a cello.
Sven scored the choir arrangement so each voice part had its own melody line.
score + arrangement + for voices
The music teacher asked the students to score a simple tune for flute and piano.
academic context: score a tune for
- score + [piece/melody/sonata] + for + [instruments]
- score a film / score a movie
- score for orchestra / score for choir
- score a symphony
- arrange
broader term; can mean adapting existing music without specifying notation
- orchestrate
specifically means arranging for an orchestra
- compose
means creating original music, not necessarily notating it for specific instruments
Grammar Patterns
score + piece + for + instruments/voices
score + [film]
Common Mistakes
score off
phrasal verbTo remove something by drawing a line through it, usually in writing.
The editor scored off several paragraphs from the article.
Please score off any incorrect information on the form.
score out
phrasal verbTo delete something written by drawing a line through it.
The teacher scored out the wrong answer with a red pen.
Did you score out the old address on the envelope?
score through
phrasal verbTo cross out written words by drawing a line through them.
She scored through the entire paragraph and started again.
The accountant scored through the incorrect figure in the report.
To make yourself seem better than someone else, often by making clever or critical remarks.
During the debate, Sara scored a point off her opponent with a sharp comment.
He always tries to score points against his colleagues in meetings.
score — noun
1. Points, goals, or runs earned by players or teams in a sporting contest, shown a
Points, goals, or runs earned by players or teams in a sporting contest, shown as numbers that determine who wins.
The final score of the basketball game was 102 to 98.
collocation: final score
Rachel kept track of the score on her phone during the whole match.
With a score of 3–0, the home team advanced to the next round.
The referee announced the score after each goal in the final.
Lien checked the score on the stadium screen before half-time.
- final score
- keep score
- tied score
- winning score
- scoreboard
Usage Note
Often paired with 'keep' or 'track' (keep score, track the score) and with 'final' (final score).
2. The points or grade awarded to a student on a test, exam, or assignment, reflect
The points or grade awarded to a student on a test, exam, or assignment, reflecting how well they performed.
Christopher got a perfect score on his maths exam this morning.
collocation: perfect score
Students with a score above 80 percent can join the advanced class next term.
Tanvi was disappointed with her score on the history quiz last week.
The average score for the science test was 72 out of 100.
Élise studied hard to bring her score up from C to B on an exam.
- test score
- exam score
- perfect score
- high score
- passing score
- average score
Usage Note
Often used with words that describe the level of achievement: 'perfect score,' 'high score,' 'low score,' or 'passing score.'
Common Mistakes
3. a written or printed version of a musical piece that shows the notes for each in
a written or printed version of a musical piece that shows the notes for each instrument or voice part to be played or sung together.
The pianist placed the score on the stand and began to play.
Ryo bought the full score of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony at the shop.
collocation: full score
The conductor followed the score carefully during the orchestra rehearsal.
Salma shared a digital copy of the score with all the choir members.
The music teacher handed out the score for a new piano piece to the class.
- full score
- piano score
- orchestral score
- read the score
- printed score
- sheet music
a more general term for printed music, not always covering all instrument parts
- musical notation
the system of written symbols; more technical
- part
the music for a single instrument or voice, not the whole piece
Usage Note
A 'full score' shows parts for all instruments; a 'piano score' is a simplified version for just the piano.
4. the specially composed music that accompanies a film, play, television show, or
the specially composed music that accompanies a film, play, television show, or video game to create a particular mood or atmosphere.
John Williams composed the score for the Star Wars films decades ago.
The film's main score won an award for best original music that year.
collocation: original score
Paloma listened to the score from her favourite movie on repeat all evening.
The documentary's slow piano score helped capture the sadness of the story.
Adina bought the soundtrack album because she loved the film's orchestral score.
- original score
- film score
- movie score
- compose the score
- orchestral score
- soundtrack
broader term that includes any audio in a film, not just the composed music
- theme music
a recurring melody associated with a film or character, not the entire score
Usage Note
Often used with 'compose' or 'write' (compose the score, write the score), and distinguished from 'soundtrack' which may include existing songs as well.
Common Mistakes
5. the number 20, or a group or amount of approximately twenty people or things.
the number 20, or a group or amount of approximately twenty people or things.
Three score years ago, my grandfather left Ireland for a new life in Canada.
pattern: a score = 20, rarely used in modern English
The old text mentions a score of different bird species found on the island.
"Four score and seven years ago" opens Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech.
The farmer counted a score of sheep in the field before locking the gate.
- three score
- four score
- a score of
- three score years and ten
Usage Note
This use of 'score' to mean 20 is found mainly in older or formal writing, such as historical speeches, the Bible, and classic literature. In everyday modern English, people say 'twenty' instead.
Common Mistakes
6. used in the fixed plural form 'scores of' before a plural noun to refer to a lar
used in the fixed plural form 'scores of' before a plural noun to refer to a large but indefinite number of people or things — for example, scores of volunteers arriving to help, or scores of books on a single topic.
Scores of volunteers came to help clean up the beach after the storm.
pattern: scores of + plural noun
Ravindra has read scores of books on ancient history over the years.
Scores of people lined the streets to watch the parade go by.
Amihan had tried scores of different hairstyles before finding one she liked.
Scores of fish swam past the reef as we watched from the boat.
- scores of people
- scores of volunteers
- scores of books
- scores of letters
- scores of times
- few
used in phrases like 'a few people' to indicate a small number
Grammar Patterns
scores of + plural countable noun
Usage Note
Always used in the fixed plural form 'scores' (never 'score') followed by 'of' and a plural countable noun. Not used with singular or uncountable nouns. Similar to 'dozens of' but often suggests a slightly larger quantity.
Common Mistakes
7. used in the fixed expressions 'on that score' or 'on this score' to refer back t
used in the fixed expressions 'on that score' or 'on this score' to refer back to a specific subject or matter that was just brought up in conversation.
Mateo assured us he had the money, and we had no worries on that score.
fixed phrase: on that score
The flat is small, but on that score we plan to move next year.
Kwame said he would finish the report by Friday, so I felt calm on that score.
There were concerns about the deadline, but everyone agreed on that score after the meeting.
The new manager seems capable, and on this score the team has no complaints.
variant: on this score
- on that score
- on this score
- worried on that score
- reassured on that score
- agreed on that score
- on that matter
more general and slightly less formal; not fixed as a phrase
- on that front
used for ongoing situations or progress reports; more informal in tone
- regarding that issue
more explicit and formal; useful when clarity is needed
Grammar Patterns
on that score
on this score
Usage Note
Virtually always used in the prepositional phrases 'on that score' or 'on this score.' The phrase functions as an adverbial connector, linking back to a topic already mentioned. Not used with other determiners (e.g. 'on a score').
Common Mistakes
settle a score
idiomto take revenge on someone for something wrong or unfair they did to you in the past.
After years of feeling cheated, Tendai finally settled the score with his former business partner.
The movie is about a woman who returns to her hometown to settle an old score with the family that ruined hers.
know the score
idiomto understand the true nature of a situation, especially when it involves difficulties or unpleasant facts.
Ezra knew the score before accepting the job — long hours and low pay at first.
You do not need to explain the risks to me; I know the score perfectly well.
Word family
- scorernounB1
- scoringnounB1
- scorelessadjectiveB2
- scoreboardnounB1
- scorecardnounB2
- scorekeepernounB2
- scoresheetnounC1
- scorelinenounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
While 'score' in its sports sense (verb/1) means to successfully add points to one's tally in a competition, several near-synonyms cover related but distinct territory. 'Win' is broader — you win a match, a prize, or someone's respect, but you do not win a single point; you score it. 'Earn' emphasises effort and desert: you earn a point through skill, whereas you can score a goal through luck. 'Gain' is more neutral and often suggests incremental accumulation (gain an advantage, gain ground), making it suitable for situations where scoring is part of a larger process. 'Achieve' is the most formal of the group; it implies reaching a notable target (achieve a personal best), and it works well when the scoring has significance beyond the number itself. 'Get' is the most informal and general — it can replace 'score' in casual speech ('He got a goal in the last minute'), but it lacks the competitive-game flavour that 'score' carries. In practice, 'score a goal' is the fixed collocation for football and hockey; 'earn a point' is common in academic contexts (verb sense 2); 'gain a point' appears in board-game rules; and 'achieve a score of…' is typical in testing. Choosing the right verb depends on whether the focus is on the result (get/achieve), the effort (earn), or the competitive context itself (score).
Common collocations
Nouns
- test score
- exam score
- final score
- high score
- perfect score
- passing score
- total score
Adverbs
- score well
- score poorly
- score highly
- score badly
Phrases
- settle a score
- keep score
- know the score
- on that score
- on this score
- scores of
Prepositions
- score on (a test/exam)
- score in (a subject/game)
- score for (a team/event)
- score with (a proposal/achievement)
- score out of (total score)
Etymology
The word 'score' comes from Old English scoru, borrowed from Old Norse skor — a notch or incision cut into a surface. In medieval times, people kept tallies by carving notches into wooden sticks (tally sticks); each notch represented one count, and a standard tally stick had twenty notches, giving rise to 'a score' meaning twenty. This tallying practice led to the verb 'to score' meaning to mark or cut lines (verb sense 9), and, by extension, to the counting of points in games (verb sense 1). The use of 'score' as a musical term (noun senses 3 and 4) follows a different but related path: early musical notation was marked ('scored') onto parchment with lines and symbols, and a 'score' became the written or printed notation of a composition. The modern verb senses meaning to achieve, obtain, or succeed (senses 5, 6, 7, 8) are metaphorical extensions of 'scoring points' — treating any desirable outcome as a point earned. The fixed expression 'settle a score' originates from the practice of settling debts recorded on a tally stick by cutting matching notches.