score

score / skôr/ • n. 1. the number of points, goals, runs, etc., achieved in a game: the final score was 25–16 in favor of Washington. ∎  the number of points, goals, runs, etc., achieved by an individual player or a team in a game: his highest score of the season. ∎ inf. an act of gaining a point, goal, or run in a game. ∎  a rating or grade, such as a mark achieved in a test: an IQ score of 161. ∎  (the score) inf. the state of affairs; the real facts about the present situation: “Hey, what's the score here, what's goin' on?” ∎ inf. an act of buying illegal drugs. 2. (pl. same) a group or set of twenty or about twenty: a score of men lost their lives in the battle. ∎  (scores of) a large amount or number of something: he sent scores of enthusiastic letters to friends. 3. a written representation of a musical composition showing all the vocal and instrumental parts arranged one below the other. ∎  the music composed for a movie or play. 4. a notch or line cut or scratched into a surface. • v. [tr.] 1. gain (a point, goal, run, etc.) in a competitive game: Penn State scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. ∎  decide on the score to be awarded to (a competitor): the judge must score each dog against this standard. ∎  gain (a number of points) for a competitor; be worth: each correct answer scores ten points. ∎  decide on the scores to be awarded in (a game or competition). ∎  [intr.] record the score during a game; act as scorer. ∎  Baseball cause (a teammate) to score: McNab singled, scoring Reynolds and Diaz. ∎ inf. secure (a success or an advantage): the band scored a hit single. ∎  [intr.] inf. be successful: his new movie scored big. ∎ inf. buy or acquire (something, typically illegal drugs): Sally had scored some acid. ∎  [intr.] inf. succeed in attracting a sexual partner, typically for a casual encounter. 2. orchestrate or arrange (a piece of music), typically for a specified instrument or instruments: the Quartet Suite was scored for flute, violin, viola da gamba, and continuo. ∎  compose the music for (a movie or play). 3. cut or scratch a notch or line on (a surface): score the card until you cut through. PHRASES: know the score inf. be aware of the essential facts about a situation. on that (or this) score so far as that (or this) is concerned: my priority was to blend new faces into the team, and we have succeeded on that score. score points outdo another person, esp. in an argument. settle a (or the) score take revenge on someone for a past act. DERIVATIVES: score·less adj. scor·er n.