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scores

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈskɔɹz// UK //skˈɔːz// scores Slang

n. a large number of people or things. You use this when you want to say there are many of something without giving an exact count.

n. a large but unspecified number of people or things. While technically referring to multiples of twenty, it is used in modern English as a general plural to indicate abundance.


SIMPLE

Scores of people waited in line for the new phone.

CONTEXTUAL

After the storm, scores of volunteers arrived to help the residents clean up the debris from the streets.

COMPLEX

Despite the early hour, scores of protesters had already gathered outside the embassy, carrying banners and chanting slogans that could be heard several blocks away.

Synonyms
Usage

Always used in the plural form when meaning 'many'. Often followed by the preposition 'of' before a noun phrase.

Pitfall

There were score of birdsThere were scores of birdsWhen used to mean 'many', the word must be plural.

Idioms2 entries

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