plural tallies
Synonyms of tally
1
a
: a recorded reckoning or account (as of items or charges)
keep a daily tally of accidents
b
: a score or point made (as in a game)
2
: a device (such as a notched rod or mechanical counter) for visibly recording or accounting especially business transactions
3
a
: a part that corresponds to an opposite or companion member : complement
b
: a state of correspondence or agreement

tally

2 of 2

verb

tallied; tallying

transitive verb

1
a
: to record on or as if on a tally : tabulate
b
: to list or check off (something, such as a cargo) by items
c
: to register (a score) in a contest
2
: to make a count of : reckon
3
: to cause to correspond

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make a tally by or as if by tabulating
b
: to register a point in a contest : score
2

Examples of tally in a Sentence

Noun What is the final tally? Her second goal turned out to be the game-winning tally. Verb He tallied his expenses every day. The numbers on the old list and the new list don't tally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The escalating tally underscores how far the two sides remain from resolving a crisis that has choked the Strait of Hormuz for more than five months. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 The three goals from Boston actually tied a season high as Bianca St-Georges finished off a cross at the far post from Hanson’s Sammy Smith in the 31st minute to give Boston some momentum that quickly evaporated with Tordin’s final tally. Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Diamondbacks were only able to muster one hit after Tawa’s single, while the Guardians tallied eight hits on the day. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 In 448 plate appearances, Isaac Paredes has hit 15 long balls, tallied 60 RBIs and scored 44 runs. Data Skrive, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tally

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English talye, from Anglo-French talie, taille, in part from tailler to cut, measure, count; in part from Medieval Latin tallia, alteration of Latin talea plant cutting, thin piece of wood

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tally was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tally. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

tally

1 of 2 noun
plural tallies
1
: a device for keeping a count
2
a
: a recorded account
b
: a total recorded
3
: a score or point made (as in a game)

tally

2 of 2 verb
tallied; tallying
1
: to keep a count of
2
: to make a tally : score
3

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