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tally definition

tally (tal′ē)

noun pl. tallies -·lies

    1. Obsolete a stick with cross notches representing the amount of a debt owing or paid: usually the stick was split lengthwise, half for the debtor and half for the creditor
    2. anything used as a record for an account, reckoning, or score
  2. an account, reckoning, or score
    1. either of two corresponding parts of something; counterpart
    2. agreement; correspondence
  4. any number of objects used as a unit in counting
  5. an identifying tag or label

Etymology: ME talye < Anglo-L talia < L talea, a stick, cutting: see tailor

transitive verb tallied -·lied, tallying -·ly·ing

  1. to put on or as on a tally; record
  2. to count; add: usually with up
  3. to put a label or tag on
  4. Archaic to make (two things) agree or correspond

intransitive verb

  1. to tally something
  2. to score a point or points in a game
  3. to agree; correspond

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tally Synonyms

tally

n.

  1. Account

    reckoning, summation, poll, tab; see score 1, 2.

  2. Counterpart

    match, complement, partner, coordinate, companion, reciprocal.

  3. Label

    identification, emblem, insignia; see tag 2.


tally

v.

  1. To record

    write down, register, mark down; see record 1.

  2. To count

    add up, sum, total; see count.

  3. To agree

    correspond, match, jibe*; see agree. See syn. study at agree.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tally Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • keep: The GDC will keep a tally of your yearly totals.

Adjective modifier

  • unbeaten: Leading the triumph was awesome Aussie Leigh Adams, whose unbeaten 14+1 tally was his forty-third career maximum for the club.

Modifies a noun

  • ho: Tally ho both, and please tell us that you definitely won't be at home to Mr Cockup!

Noun used with modifier

  • double-figure: However, the remarkable Australian eased to victories in his remaining two rides as he contributed yet another double-figure tally.

Possessives

  • season: However John improved on his previous season's tally by scoring no less than 38 goals.

Preposition: of

  • medal: Britain's tally of 13 medals included three for Kirsty Balfour, who we caught up with for this month's Total Swimming interview.

Preposition: for

  • season: Young's goal at Queens Park Rangers last Saturday took his tally for the season to 14 from 38 starts.
tally usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"tally." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/tally>

APA Style

tally. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/tally

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