What does tally mean?
A tally is a record of a number or total, such as the votes received by a candidate, the points in a game, or the amount of money collected. The related verb, to tally, means to count, calculate, or record such a total: a group may tally expenses, officials may tally votes, or a team may keep score. Historically, the word referred to a mark or notch used to keep count, and the practice of making four strokes crossed by a fifth stroke remains familiar as tally marks. Today, the noun is especially common in expressions such as “final tally” and “running tally,” while the verb is used when figures are being calculated or recorded. Although “tally” can suggest careful or methodical counting, it is generally neutral rather than formal or technical. The word is equally natural in British and American English and is used in both everyday conversation and official reporting.
A record of a number or total, especially a score, count, or amount. It can also refer to the marks used to keep count.
"The election official read out the final tally."
Common in journalism, elections, sports, accounting, and informal descriptions of keeping count.
To count, calculate, or record the total of something; to keep track of a score or quantity.
"The treasurer tallied the expenses before publishing the report."
Often used with votes, expenses, scores, quantities, and other measurable results.
The regular plural is tallies. In the phrase “a tally of votes,” the plural is commonly used when referring to the combined count or results.
"The final tallies were posted outside the polling stations."
A tally is both the number you keep and the marks you use to keep it: the word connects the idea of counting with the physical practice of marking each count.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How tally is actually used
The noun is common in both formal and informal contexts, especially in news, elections, sports, and financial reporting. The verb is often used for counting votes, expenses, scores, or measurable results.