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Tally Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tally

tal-ly

🇺🇸 /ˈtæɫi/ · 🇬🇧 /tˈæli/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

counting

A record of the score in a game or competition, typically in the form of a series of marks or notches cut into a surface

Synonyms

count, record, score.

Examples of usage

  • She kept a tally of the number of goals scored by each team.
  • The tally showed that the red team was in the lead.
Context #2 | Verb

counting

To record the score in a game or competition, typically by making marks or notches

Synonyms

count, record, score.

Examples of usage

  • He tallied the number of points each player had earned.
  • The referee tallied the final score at the end of the match.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “tally”

Tally is a 2-syllable noun and verb (tal-ly). It is pronounced /ˈtæɫi/ in American English and /tˈæli/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #14,848 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“tally” in mathematics

  • In mathematics, tallies are often used for quick counting, especially in surveys and statistics.
  • The tally mark system typically uses groups of five marks to make it easier to count large numbers.

“tally” in history

  • In ancient Rome, tallies were used in accounting and tax collection, serving as an early form of record-keeping.
  • Tally systems are still used today in various forms, such as in games for scoring and voting systems.

“tally” in pop culture

  • In movies and television, characters often use tallies to keep track of points in competitive situations, adding humor and drama.
  • The phrase 'the tally is counted' commonly appears in crime and mystery stories when revealing how many people were involved.

“tally” in psychology

  • Using tally marks can help improve memory retention, as physically marking something can reinforce its importance.
  • People may find that using a tally system reduces anxiety when trying to keep track of multiple tasks or activities.

Origin of 'tally'

Main points about word origin

  • The word ‘tally’ comes from the Latin word 'talea' meaning 'a stick, a cutting,' which referred to counting with notched sticks.
  • In the medieval period, tally sticks were used as a record of debts and transactions, where notches represented amounts.

The word 'tally' originated from the Middle English word 'taillie', which came from the Old French 'taille' meaning a cut or notch. The use of 'tally' to mean a record of an account or score dates back to the 15th century. Tally sticks were once used as a form of counting and keeping track of debts in medieval England. The practice of tallying has evolved over time to represent various forms of counting and recording scores.

See also: tall, tallness.

Rhymes

Tally rhymes with bally, sally, valley, alley, rally, verbally, galley and finale.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,848, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.