Record vs. Score — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
A record refers to a documented achievement or history, while a score quantifies performance, often in games or tests.
Difference Between Record and Score
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A record is a comprehensive term that includes any documentation or history of an individual, event, or entity, capturing a wide range of data, whereas a score specifically measures performance or achievement in a quantifiable manner, such as in sports, exams, or games. The record maintains details over time, while a score typically represents a single event or instance.
Records can be personal, like medical records or academic records, reflecting long-term information and historical data, while scores often provide immediate feedback on a specific performance, such as a test score or a game's final score. This highlights the longitudinal nature of records versus the immediate, snapshot-like nature of scores.
In sports, a record might refer to the history of a team's performance over seasons, including wins, losses, and other statistics, whereas a score determines the outcome of a single game or match, often influencing short-term decisions or strategies. Records in sports can establish reputation and historical significance, while scores are crucial for game-to-game tactics.
Records are also crucial in legal and business contexts, where they keep track of transactions, decisions, or historical precedents, playing a vital role in governance and operational strategies. In contrast, scores are used in financial contexts like credit scoring, which impacts short-term lending decisions and financial assessments.
When considering data management, records are maintained in databases or archives and are crucial for tracking changes and maintaining continuity over time. Scores, however, are often compiled and reported immediately, such as scores in educational testing or sports, emphasizing their role in immediate evaluation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Documented history or achievement
Quantitative measure of performance
Usage Context
Personal history, sports history, legal
Games, exams, immediate performance feedback
Temporal Aspect
Long-term, historical
Immediate, temporary
Example in Sports
Career batting average, total championships
Points in a game, test results
Function
Tracking, maintaining continuity
Evaluation, comparison
Compare with Definitions
Record
Personal achievement history.
Her swimming records were unbeaten for a decade.
Score
Points in a game.
The final score was 30-24.
Record
Historical data.
Climate records indicate increasing temperatures.
Score
Rating in a review.
The film received a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Record
Track of performance.
The company's sales record highlights its growth.
Score
A method of judging.
Judges will score the performances based on creativity and skill.
Record
Historical documentation.
The library archives contain records of all transactions.
Score
Tally of achievements.
She scored two goals in the match.
Record
Official documentation.
Birth records are essential for citizenship verification.
Score
Result of a test.
He achieved a high score on the entrance exam.
Record
To set down for preservation in writing or other permanent form
She recorded her thoughts in a diary.
Score
A ground; a reason
You have nothing to worry about on that score.
Record
To register or indicate
The clerk recorded the votes.
Score
A usually numerical record of a competitive event
Keeping score.
Record
To render (sound or images) into permanent form for reproduction in a magnetic or electronic medium.
Score
The total number of points made by each competitor or side in a contest, either final or at a given stage
The score stood tied in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Record
To record the words, sound, appearance, or performance of (someone or something)
Recorded the oldest townspeople on tape.
Recorded the violin concerto.
Score
The number of points attributed to a competitor or team.
Record
To record something.
Score
A result, usually expressed numerically, of a test or examination.
Record
An account, as of information or facts, set down especially in writing as a means of preserving knowledge.
Score
An amount due; a debt.
Record
Something on which such an account is based.
Score
A grievance that is harbored and requires satisfaction
Settle an old score.
Record
Something that records
A fossil record.
Score
A group of 20 items.
Record
Information or data on a particular subject collected and preserved
The coldest day on record.
Score
Scores Large numbers
Scores of people attended the rally.
Record
The known history of performance, activities, or achievement
Your academic record.
Hampered by a police record.
Score
The notation of a musical work.
Record
An unsurpassed measurement
A world record in weightlifting.
A record for cold weather.
Score
The written form of a composition for orchestral or vocal parts.
Record
(Computers) A collection of related, often adjacent items of data, treated as a unit.
Score
The music written for a film or a play.
Record
(Law) A transcript or a collection of statements and related information reporting the proceedings of a legislative body, a court, or an executive.
Score
The act of securing an advantage, especially a surprising or significant gain
"He had dropped out of school and gone for that quick dollar, that big score" (Peter Goldman).
Record
A disk designed to be played on a phonograph.
Score
The act or an instance of buying illicit drugs.
Record
A musical recording that is issued on a medium of some kind.
Score
A successful robbery.
Record
An item of information put into a temporary or permanent physical medium.
The person had a record of the interview so she could review her notes.
The tourist's photographs and the tape of the police call provide a record of the crime.
Score
A notch or incision, especially one that is made to keep a tally.
Record
Any instance of a physical medium on which information was put for the purpose of preserving it and making it available for future reference.
We have no record of you making this payment to us.
Score
To achieve or accomplish
Scored a success in the play.
Record
Ellipsis of phonograph record: a disc, usually made from vinyl, on which sound is recorded and may be replayed on a phonograph.
I still like records better than CDs.
Score
To achieve or gain in a game or contest
Score a touchdown.
Record
(computing) A set of data relating to a single individual or item.
Pull up the record on John Smith. What's his medical history?
Score
To count or be worth as points
A basket scores two points.
Record
(programming) A data structure similar to a struct, in some programming languages such as C# and Java based on classes and designed for storing immutable data.
Score
To keep a written record of the score or events of (a game or contest).
Record
9.0 in a Nutshell|year=2021|publisher=O'Reilly Media|pageurl=https://books.google.com/books?id=uUwgEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA210&dq=%22record%22+C#&hl=&cd=15&source=gbs_api#v=onepage&q=%22record%22%20C#&f=false|isbn=978-1-0981-0093-3|page=210|passage=A record is a special kind of class that's designed to work well with immutable (readonly) data.}}
Score
(Baseball) To cause (a base runner) to cross home plate, especially by getting a hit
Scored both runners with a double.
Record
The most extreme known value of some variable, particularly that of an achievement in competitive events.
The heat and humidity were both new records.
The team set a new record for most points scored in a game.
Score
To evaluate and assign a grade to
Score a test.
Record
(attributive) Enough to break previous records and set a new one; world-class; extreme.
Score
To orchestrate (a piece of music).
Record
(transitive) To make a record of information.
I wanted to record every detail of what happened, for the benefit of future generations.
Score
To arrange for a specific instrument.
Record
(transitive) To make an audio or video recording of.
Within a week they had recorded both the song and the video for it.
Score
To criticize cuttingly; berate.
Record
To give legal status to by making an official public record.
When the deed was recorded, we officially owned the house.
Score
To succeed in acquiring
Scored two tickets to the play.
Record
(intransitive) To fix in a medium, usually in a tangible medium.
Score
To succeed in obtaining (an illicit drug)
"Aging punks try to impress her with tales of ... the different drugs they've scored" (Art Jahnke).
Record
(intransitive) To make an audio, video, or multimedia recording.
Score
To mark (a piece of paper or wood, for example) with lines or notches, especially for the purpose of keeping a record.
Record
To repeat; to practice.
Score
To cancel or eliminate by superimposing lines.
Record
To sing or repeat a tune.
Score
To mark the surface of (meat, for example) with usually parallel cuts.
Record
(obsolete) To reflect; to ponder.
Score
To make a point or points in a game or contest.
Record
To recall to mind; to recollect; to remember; to meditate.
Score
To record the score or progress of a game or contest.
Record
To repeat; to recite; to sing or play.
They longed to see the day, to hear the larkRecord her hymns, and chant her carols blest.
Score
To achieve a purpose or advantage, especially to make a surprising gain or coup
"They ... score in places like the bond market" (Mike Barnicle).
Record
To preserve the memory of, by committing to writing, to printing, to inscription, or the like; to make note of; to write or enter in a book or on parchment, for the purpose of preserving authentic evidence of; to register; to enroll; as, to record the proceedings of a court; to record historical events.
Those things that are recorded of him . . . are written in the chronicles of the kings.
Score
To succeed in buying or obtaining an illicit drug.
Record
To reflect; to ponder.
Praying all the way, and recording upon the words which he before had read.
Score
The total number of goals, points, runs, etc. earned by a participant in a game.
The player with the highest score is the winner.
Record
To sing or repeat a tune.
Whether the birds or she recorded best.
Score
The number of points accrued by each of the participants in a game, expressed as a ratio or a series of numbers.
The score is 8-1 even though it's not even half-time!
Record
A writing by which some act or event, or a number of acts or events, is recorded; a register; as, a record of the acts of the Hebrew kings; a record of the variations of temperature during a certain time; a family record.
Score
The performance of an individual or group on an examination or test, expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol; a grade.
The test scores for this class were high.
Record
An official contemporaneous writing by which the acts of some public body, or public officer, are recorded; as, a record of city ordinances; the records of the receiver of taxes.
Score
Twenty, 20.
Some words have scores of meanings.
Record
Testimony; witness; attestation.
John bare record, saying.
Score
(gambling) An amount of money won in gambling; winnings.
Record
That which serves to perpetuate a knowledge of acts or events; a monument; a memorial.
Score
A distance of twenty yards, in ancient archery and gunnery.
Record
That which has been, or might be, recorded; the known facts in the course, progress, or duration of anything, as in the life of a public man; as, a politician with a good or a bad record.
Score
A weight of twenty pounds.
Record
That which has been publicly achieved in any kind of competitive sport as recorded in some authoritative manner, as the time made by a winning horse in a race.
Score
(music) The written form of a musical composition showing all instrumental and vocal parts.
Record
Anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events;
The film provided a valuable record of stage techniques
Score
(music) The music of a movie or play.
Record
The number of wins versus losses and ties a team has had;
At 9-0 they have the best record in their league
Score
Subject.
Record
An extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport);
He tied the Olympic record
Coffee production last year broke all previous records
Chicago set the homicide record
Score
Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
Record
Sound recording consisting of a disc with continuous grooves; formerly used to reproduce music by rotating while a phonograph needle tracked in the grooves
Score
A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
Record
The sum of recognized accomplishments;
The lawyer has a good record
The track record shows that he will be a good president
Score
An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; debt.
Record
A list of crimes for which an accused person has been previously convicted;
He ruled that the criminal record of the defendant could not be disclosed to the court
The prostitute had a record a mile long
Score
A criminal act, especially:
Record
A compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone;
Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'
His name is in all the recordbooks
Score
A robbery.
Let's pull a score!
Record
A document that can serve as legal evidence of a transaction;
They could find no record of the purchase
Score
A bribe paid to a police officer.
Record
Make a record of; set down in permanent form
Score
An illegal sale, especially of drugs.
He made a big score.
Record
Register electronically;
They recorded her singing
Score
A prostitute's client.
Record
Indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments;
The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero
The gauge read `empty'
Score
In the Lowestoft area, a narrow pathway running down a cliff to the beach.
Record
Be aware of;
Did you register any change when I pressed the button?
Score
(transitive) To cut a notch or a groove in a surface.
The baker scored the cake so that the servers would know where to slice it.
Record
Be or provide a memorial to a person or an event;
This sculpture commemorates the victims of the concentration camps
We memorialized the Dead
Score
(intransitive) To record the tally of points for a game, a match, or an examination.
Score
(ambitransitive) To obtain something desired.
Score
To earn points in a game.
It is unusual for a team to score a hundred goals in one game.
Pelé scores again!
Score
To achieve (a score) in e.g. a test.
Score
(gambling) To win money by gambling.
Score
(slang) To acquire or gain.
I scored some drugs last night.
Did you score tickets for the concert?
Score
To extract a bribe.
Score
(transitive) To provide (a film, etc.) with a musical score.
Score
Acknowledgement of success
Score
A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used.
Score
An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness.
He parted well, and paid his score.
Score
Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
But left the trade, as many moreHave lately done on the same score.
You act your kindness in Cydaria's score.
Score
The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number.
Amongst three or four score hogsheads.
At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores.
Score
A distance of twenty yards; - a term used in ancient archery and gunnery.
Score
A weight of twenty pounds.
Score
The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.
Score
A line drawn; a groove or furrow.
Score
The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; - so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts.
Score
The grade received on an examination, such as those given in school or as a qualifying examination for a job or admission to school; - it may be expressed as a percentage of answers which are correct, or as a number or letter; as, a score of 98 in a civil service exam.
Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it?
Score
To mark with lines, scratches, or notches; to cut notches or furrows in; to notch; to scratch; to furrow; as, to score timber for hewing; to score the back with a lash.
Let us score their backs.
A briar in that tangled wildernessHad scored her white right hand.
Score
Especially, to mark with significant lines or notches, for indicating or keeping account of something; as, to score a tally.
Score
To mark or signify by lines or notches; to keep record or account of; to set down; to record; to charge.
Madam, I know when,Instead of five, you scored me ten.
Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score.
Score
To engrave, as upon a shield.
Score
To make a score of, as points, runs, etc., in a game.
Score
To mark with parallel lines or scratches; as, the rocks of New England and the Western States were scored in the drift epoch.
Score
To keep the score in a game; to act as scorer.
Score
To make or count a point or points, as in a game; to tally.
Score
To run up a score, or account of dues.
Score
To purchase drugs illegally.
Score
A number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance);
She made good marks in algebra
Grade A milk
What was your score on your homework?
Score
A written form of a musical composition; parts for different instruments appear on separate staves on large pages;
He studied the score of the sonata
Score
A number that expresses the accomplishment of a team or an individual in a game or contest;
The score was 7 to 0
Score
A set of twenty members;
A score were sent out but only one returned
Score
Grounds;
Don't do it on my account
The paper was rejected on account of its length
He tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful
Score
The facts about an actual situation;
He didn't know the score
Score
An amount due (as at a restaurant or bar);
Add it to my score and I'll settle later
Score
A slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)
Score
A resentment strong enough to justify retaliation;
Holding a grudge
Settling a score
Score
The act of scoring in a game or sport;
The winning score came with less than a minute left to play
Score
Gain points in a game;
The home team scored many times
He hit a home run
He hit .300 in the past season
Score
Make small marks into the surface of;
Score the clay before firing it
Score
Make underscoring marks
Score
Write a musical score for
Score
Get a certain number or letter indicating quality or performance;
She scored high on the SAT
He scored a 200
Score
Assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation;
Grade tests
Score the SAT essays
Mark homework
Common Curiosities
How is a score used in education?
In education, scores are used to evaluate a student's understanding and mastery of subject matter.
What is the difference between a sports record and a score?
A sports record documents historical statistics and achievements, while a score determines the outcome of a specific event.
What defines a record in a legal context?
In a legal context, a record includes all documented evidence, proceedings, and judgments.
Can a record include scores?
Yes, records can include scores as part of the documented history, such as academic records or sports statistics.
Is a score always numerical?
Scores are typically numerical but can also include qualitative measures in some contexts, like performance reviews.
How long are scores relevant?
Scores are usually relevant as immediate feedback or for comparisons within a specific period.
Can records impact future events?
Yes, records can influence future decisions, strategies, and assessments based on past data.
What types of records are kept in healthcare?
In healthcare, medical records document a patient's history, treatments, and medical conditions.
How do businesses use records and scores differently?
Businesses use records for tracking transactions and historical data, while scores might be used to assess performance or financial stability.
Are scores relevant outside of games or sports?
Yes, scores are also relevant in educational testing, performance evaluations, and credit assessments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
