/ skɔː(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
POINTS / GOALS, etc.
1.
[ C ] the number of points, goals, etc. scored by each player or team in a game or competition :
a high / low score
What's the score now?
The final score was 4–3.
I'll keep (the) score .
2.
[ C ] ( especially NAmE ) the number of points sb gets for correct answers in a test :
test scores
an IQ score of 120
a perfect score
MUSIC
3.
[ C ] a written or printed version of a piece of music showing what each instrument is to play or what each voice is to sing :
an orchestral score
the score of Verdi's 'Requiem'
4.
[ C ] the music written for a film / movie or play :
an award for best original score
TWENTY
5.
[ C ] ( pl. score ) a set or group of 20 or approximately 20 :
Several cabs and a score of cars were parked outside.
Doyle's success brought imitators by the score (= very many) .
the biblical age of three score years and ten (= 70)
MANY
6.
scores [ pl. ] very many :
There were scores of boxes and crates, all waiting to be checked and loaded.
CUT
7.
[ C ] a cut in a surface, made with a sharp tool
FACTS ABOUT SITUATION
8.
the score [ sing. ] ( informal ) the real facts about the present situation :
What's the score?
You don't have to lie to me. I know the score .
•
IDIOMS
- on that / this score
—more at even verb , settle verb
■ verb
GIVE / GET POINTS / GOALS
1.
to win points, goals, etc. in a game or competition :
[ v ]
Fraser scored again in the second half.
[ vn ]
to score a goal / try / touchdown / victory
2.
[ v ] to keep a record of the points, goals, etc. won in a game or competition :
Who's going to score?
3.
to gain marks in a test or an exam :
[ vn ]
She scored 98% in the French test.
[ v ]
Girls usually score highly in language exams.
4.
[ vn ] to give sth/sb a particular number of points :
The tests are scored by psychologists.
Score each criterion on a scale of 1 to 5.
a scoring system
5.
[ vn ] to be worth a particular number of points :
Each correct answer will score two points.
SUCCEED
6.
to succeed; to have an advantage :
[ vn ]
The army continued to score successes in the south.
[ v ]
She's scored again with her latest blockbuster.
ARRANGE / WRITE MUSIC
7.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] score sth (for sth) to arrange a piece of music for one or more musical instruments or for voices :
The piece is scored for violin, viola and cello.
The director invited him to score the movie (= write the music for it) .
CUT
8.
[ vn ] to make a cut or mark on a surface :
Score the card first with a knife.
HAVE SEX
9.
[ v ] score (with sb) ( slang ) ( especially of a man ) to have sex with a new partner :
Did you score last night?
BUY DRUGS
10.
[ vn , v ] ( slang ) to buy or get illegal drugs
•
IDIOMS
- score a point / points (off / against / over sb)
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- score off sb
- score sth out / through
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Old English scoru set of twenty , from Old Norse skor notch, tally, twenty, of Germanic origin; related to shear . The verb ( late Middle English ) is from Old Norse skora make an incision.