What does scorecard mean?
A scorecard is a card or form that records the results of a game, especially a round of golf. It traditionally contains information such as each player's score, the number of strokes taken on each hole, and the total for the round. In modern figurative English, “scorecard” has broadened to mean an evaluation, summary, or record of someone's performance, qualities, or achievements. Saying that someone has a strong or impressive scorecard suggests that their results were good, although the phrase can also carry a slightly informal or playful tone. The figurative sense is especially common in journalism, sports, business, and discussions of examinations and interviews, where a concise overview of achievements is useful. The term is also sometimes used to emphasize what someone actually accomplished rather than what they claimed or were expected to do.
nounA card or form used to record the score or scores achieved in a game, especially golf. By extension, it can refer to an evaluation or summary of someone’s performance, qualities, or achievements.
- A card or form on which the score in a game, especially golf, is recorded.
- An evaluation or summary of someone's performance, qualities, or achievements.
"Her meticulous preparation turned the final interview into a strong scorecard."
"The scorecard showed that she had finished the round three strokes under par."
"Judges use the scorecard to assess each finalist's presentation and reasoning."
The regular plural is “scorecards.”
"The judges reviewed the scorecards before selecting the finalists."
A scorecard began as a simple record of points, but the phrase can now serve as a verdict on an entire performance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scorecard come from?
The compound “scorecard” combines “score” with “card,” both of which were established English words before the compound arose. It became especially associated with golf in the 19th century, when players recorded their results hole by hole on cards. Its figurative use developed later from the idea of a card that provides an overall record or assessment of performance.
How scorecard is actually used
The word is most strongly associated with golf, where it refers specifically to the card recording a player's performance on each hole. In figurative use, it is somewhat informal and often suggests a concise or final assessment rather than a detailed analysis.