Standard Lemma guide

tally

adv · intj · name · noun · verb · 27 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈtɔli/
  • /ˈtɔl.li/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • cot-caught-merger: /ˈtɑli/
  • cot-caught-merger: /ˈtɑl.li/
  • /ˈtæli/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -æli
  • CMU ARPABET: T AE1 L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a tall way; stoutly; with spirit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

intj

Meaning 2

Target sighted.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, broadcasting, business, engineering, media, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, radio

Examples

  • (Air Traffic Control): Speedbird 123, New York, traffic at two o’clock, seven miles, a Boeing 737, west-bound, at 4000 feet.
  • (Pilot): New York, Speedbird 123, tally.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

name

Meaning 3

A male given name.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

name

Meaning 4

A female given name.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Abbreviation of tally stick.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: abbreviation, alt-of

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

One of two books, sheets of paper, etc., on which corresponding accounts were kept.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

noun

Meaning 7

Any account or score kept by notches or marks, whether on wood or paper, or in a book, especially one kept in duplicate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

One thing made to suit another; a counterpart or match.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

A notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally; as, to make or earn a score or tally in a game.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

noun

Meaning 10

A tally shop.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

noun

Meaning 11

A ribbon on a sailor's cap bearing the name of the ship or the (part of) the navy to which they belong.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

noun

Meaning 12

A state of cohabitation, living with another individual in an intimate relationship outside of marriage.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated, informal, regional

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

noun

Meaning 13

Five dozen bunches of turnips.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

14

verb

Meaning 14

To count something.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

15

verb

Meaning 15

To mathematically calculate a numeric result.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

16

verb

Meaning 16

To record something by making marks.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

17

verb

Meaning 17

To make things correspond or agree with each other.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

18

verb

Meaning 18

To keep score.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

19

verb

Meaning 19

To correspond or agree.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

20

verb

Meaning 20

To check off, as parcels of freight going inboard or outboard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

21

noun

Meaning 21

a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the Yankees scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th
  • their first tally came in the 3rd inning

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: score

Narrower terms: earned run, unearned run, run batted in, rbi

22

noun

Meaning 22

the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the counting continued for several hours

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: count, counting, numeration, enumeration, reckoning

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: investigation, investigating

Narrower terms: blood count, census, nose count, nosecount, countdown, miscount, poll, recount, sperm count

23

noun

Meaning 23

a bill for an amount due

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reckoning

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bill, account, invoice

24

verb

Meaning 24

determine the sum of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Add all the people in this town to those of the neighboring town

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: total, tot, tot up, sum, sum up, summate, tote up, add, add together, add up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: count, number, enumerate, numerate

25

verb

Meaning 25

keep score, as in games

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chalk up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: record, enter, put down

26

verb

Meaning 26

gain points in a game

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The home team scored many times
  • He hit a home run
  • He hit .300 in the past season

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: score, hit, rack up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: gain, advance, win, pull ahead, make headway, get ahead, gain ground

Narrower terms: par, shoot, convert, homer, kick, eagle, hole up, ace, walk, equalize, equalise, get even, have, get, make

27

verb

Meaning 27

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The two stories don't agree in many details
  • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
  • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: match, fit, correspond, check, jibe, gibe, agree

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equal, be

Narrower terms: consist, look, answer, coincide, align, correlate, parallel, twin, duplicate, square, corroborate, underpin, bear out, support, resemble, meet, fit, conform to, homologize, befit, suit, beseem, harmonize, harmonise, consort, accord, concord, fit in, agree, pattern, adhere, rhyme, rime

History

Etymology

From Middle English tally, talliche, equivalent to tall + -ly.

Clipping of tallyho.

From Middle English talie, from Anglo-Norman tallie and Old French taille (“notch in a piece of wood signifying a debt”), from Medieval Latin tallia, from Latin talea (“a cutting, rod, stick”). Doublet of taille and talea.

From Middle English talien, from the noun (see above). Also from Medieval Latin taliare.

Across languages

Translations

62 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: дубликат (dublikat) — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Finnish: tilikirja — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Occitan: registre — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Occitan: carta — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Occitan: compte — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Russian: счёт (sčot) — one of two books on which corresponding accounts were kept
  • Finnish: tukkimiehen kirjanpito — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • French: marque — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • German: Strichliste — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • German: Zähler — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Irish: scór — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Portuguese: contador — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Russian: счёт (sčot) — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Spanish: marca — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Swedish: räkna — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Tagalog: paya — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Turkish: sayım — any account or score kept by notches or marks
  • Finnish: pari — one thing made to suit another
  • Finnish: vastinkappale — one thing made to suit another
  • Turkish: bağdaşma — one thing made to suit another
  • Bulgarian: рязка (rjazka) — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Bulgarian: черта на рабош (čerta na raboš) — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Finnish: pykälä — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Finnish: viiva — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Finnish: tilastomerkintä — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • German: Kerbe — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • German: Strich — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • German: Haken — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Norwegian: hakk — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Russian: зарубка (zarubka) — notch, mark, or score made on or in a tally
  • Finnish: laskea — to count something
  • German: zählen — to count something
  • Ancient Greek: ἀριθμέω (arithméō) — to count something
  • Italian: conteggiare — to count something
  • Nepali: गन्नु (gannu) — to count something
  • Persian: چوبخط زدن (čub-xat zadan) — to count something
  • Portuguese: contar — to count something
  • Portuguese: somar — to count something
  • Russian: считать (sčitatʹ) — to count something
  • Spanish: escrutar — to count something
  • Spanish: contabilizar — to count something
  • Spanish: cuantiar — to count something
  • Ugaritic: 𐎒𐎔𐎗 (spr) — to count something
  • Finnish: merkata — to record something
  • German: abhaken — to record something
  • German: markieren — to record something
  • Portuguese: marcar — to record something
  • Romanian: răboji — to record something
  • Russian: отмечать (otmečatʹ) — to record something
  • Spanish: tarjar — to record something
  • Finnish: sovittaa yhteen — to make things correspond
  • German: einspielen — to make things correspond
  • German: einstimmen — to make things correspond
  • German: aufeinander abstimmen — to make things correspond
  • Finnish: pitää lukua — to keep score
  • German: den Spielstand beihalten — to keep score
  • Portuguese: marcar — to keep score
  • Finnish: vastata — to correspond or agree
  • German: übereinstimmen — to correspond or agree
  • German: korrespondieren — to correspond or agree
  • Swedish: stämma överens — to correspond or agree
  • Finnish: merkata — nautical: to check off
Real reading context

tally in complete knowledge articles