Engrave vs. Score — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
Engraving involves creating designs by cutting into a surface, typically for art or identification, whereas scoring refers to making shallow cuts on a surface to facilitate breaking or bending.
Difference Between Engrave and Score
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Engraving is a process used primarily in art and manufacturing to decorate or label objects by carving or etching designs into materials such as metal, glass, or wood. On the other hand, scoring is a technique used in various crafts and construction tasks to create a weak point in a material, such as glass or tile, to ensure a clean break when force is applied.
In engraving, tools like burins or lasers are employed to achieve precise and permanent patterns. Whereas, in scoring, simpler tools such as a scoring wheel or a utility knife are often sufficient for making the necessary shallow cuts.
Engraving can be both functional and decorative, adding value and aesthetics to items like jewelry and trophies. Conversely, scoring is generally utilitarian, aimed at manipulating the physical properties of the material for practical purposes like shaping or assembly.
The depth of the cut is a significant difference; engraving involves deeper cuts that are designed to last and often filled with ink or other substances to highlight the design. On the other hand, scoring makes only superficial cuts that merely weaken the material without significant removal.
Engraving requires a high level of skill and artistic ability, especially when done by hand, making it a craft that also holds artistic merit. Scoring, while still requiring precision, is less about artistry and more about functional precision.
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The equipment used for engraving can range from hand tools for traditional methods to sophisticated laser engravers for industrial applications. In contrast, scoring tools are typically more straightforward and portable, such as handheld glass cutters or paper scoring blades.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Artistic design and labeling
Facilitating breaking or bending
Tools Used
Burins, lasers
Scoring wheel, utility knife
Cut Depth
Deep, permanent
Superficial, temporary
Usage
Decorative and functional
Primarily utilitarian
Skill Required
High artistic skill
Precision but less artistry
Compare with Definitions
Engrave
Carve or cut a design or lettering on a hard surface.
Artists engrave intricate patterns on metal plates.
Score
To make a notch, groove, or slight cut into a surface.
Use the tile cutter to score a line before snapping it.
Engrave
To imprint deeply or durably.
The jeweler engraved the wedding date inside the ring.
Score
Weaken the surface of a material for easier splitting.
Score the drywall to ensure a clean break.
Engrave
Creating detailed artwork on various substances.
He learned to engrave on glass at the craft workshop.
Score
Using a sharp tool to outline cutting areas.
She scored the fabric before cutting out the pattern.
Engrave
Decorative or functional incisions on materials.
The engraved trophy sparkled under the lights.
Score
A usually numerical record of a competitive event
Keeping score.
Engrave
To carve, cut, or etch into a material
Engraved the champion's name on the trophy.
Score
The total number of points made by each competitor or side in a contest, either final or at a given stage
The score stood tied in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Engrave
To carve, cut, or etch a design or letters into
Engraved the silver watch with my monogram.
Score
The number of points attributed to a competitor or team.
Engrave
To carve, cut, or etch into a block or surface used for printing.
Score
A result, usually expressed numerically, of a test or examination.
Engrave
To print from a block or plate made by such a process.
Score
An amount due; a debt.
Engrave
To impress deeply as if by carving or etching
The experience was engraved into his memory.
Score
A grievance that is harbored and requires satisfaction
Settle an old score.
Engrave
(transitive) To carve text or symbols into (something), usually for the purposes of identification or art.
He engraved the plaque with his name.
Score
A ground; a reason
You have nothing to worry about on that score.
Engrave
(transitive) To carve (something) into a material.
He engraved his name.
Score
A group of 20 items.
Engrave
(obsolete) To put in a grave, to bury.
Score
Scores Large numbers
Scores of people attended the rally.
Engrave
To deposit in the grave; to bury.
Score
The notation of a musical work.
Engrave
To cut in; to make by incision.
Full many wounds in his corrupted fleshHe did engrave.
Score
The written form of a composition for orchestral or vocal parts.
Engrave
To cut with a graving instrument in order to form an inscription or pictorial representation; to carve figures; to mark with incisions.
Like . . . . a signet thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel.
Score
The music written for a film or a play.
Engrave
To form or represent by means of incisions upon wood, stone, metal, or the like; as, to engrave an inscription.
Score
The act of securing an advantage, especially a surprising or significant gain
"He had dropped out of school and gone for that quick dollar, that big score" (Peter Goldman).
Engrave
To impress deeply; to infix, as if with a graver.
Engrave principles in men's minds.
Score
The act or an instance of buying illicit drugs.
Engrave
Carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface;
Engrave a pen
Engraved the winner's name onto the trophy cup
Score
A successful robbery.
Engrave
Impress or affect deeply;
The event engraved itself into her memory
Score
An instance of having sexual intercourse with a desired partner.
Engrave
Carve, cut, or etch into a block used for printing or print from such a block;
Engrave a letter
Score
A notch or incision, especially one that is made to keep a tally.
Engrave
Carve, cut, or etch a design or letters into;
Engrave the pen with the owner's name
Score
To achieve or accomplish
Scored a success in the play.
Engrave
Use of a machine to etch into materials.
We use a laser to engrave serial numbers on our products.
Score
To achieve or gain in a game or contest
Score a touchdown.
Score
To count or be worth as points
A basket scores two points.
Score
To keep a written record of the score or events of (a game or contest).
Score
(Baseball) To cause (a base runner) to cross home plate, especially by getting a hit
Scored both runners with a double.
Score
To evaluate and assign a grade to
Score a test.
Score
To orchestrate (a piece of music).
Score
To arrange for a specific instrument.
Score
To criticize cuttingly; berate.
Score
To succeed in acquiring
Scored two tickets to the play.
Score
To succeed in obtaining (an illicit drug)
"Aging punks try to impress her with tales of ... the different drugs they've scored" (Art Jahnke).
Score
To mark (a piece of paper or wood, for example) with lines or notches, especially for the purpose of keeping a record.
Score
To cancel or eliminate by superimposing lines.
Score
To mark the surface of (meat, for example) with usually parallel cuts.
Score
To make a point or points in a game or contest.
Score
To record the score or progress of a game or contest.
Score
To achieve a purpose or advantage, especially to make a surprising gain or coup
"They ... score in places like the bond market" (Mike Barnicle).
Score
To succeed in having sexual relations with a desired partner.
Score
To succeed in buying or obtaining an illicit drug.
Score
The total number of goals, points, runs, etc. earned by a participant in a game.
The player with the highest score is the winner.
Score
The number of points accrued by each of the participants in a game, expressed as a ratio or a series of numbers.
The score is 8-1 even though it's not even half-time!
Score
The performance of an individual or group on an examination or test, expressed by a number, letter, or other symbol; a grade.
The test scores for this class were high.
Score
Twenty, 20.
Some words have scores of meanings.
Score
(gambling) An amount of money won in gambling; winnings.
Score
A distance of twenty yards, in ancient archery and gunnery.
Score
A weight of twenty pounds.
Score
(music) The written form of a musical composition showing all instrumental and vocal parts.
Score
(music) The music of a movie or play.
Score
Subject.
Score
Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
Score
A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
Score
An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; debt.
Score
A criminal act, especially:
Score
A robbery.
Let's pull a score!
Score
A bribe paid to a police officer.
Score
An illegal sale, especially of drugs.
He made a big score.
Score
A prostitute's client.
Score
A sexual conquest.
Score
In the Lowestoft area, a narrow pathway running down a cliff to the beach.
Score
(transitive) To cut a notch or a groove in a surface.
The baker scored the cake so that the servers would know where to slice it.
Score
(intransitive) To record the tally of points for a game, a match, or an examination.
Score
(ambitransitive) To obtain something desired.
Score
To earn points in a game.
It is unusual for a team to score a hundred goals in one game.
Pelé scores again!
Score
To achieve (a score) in e.g. a test.
Score
(gambling) To win money by gambling.
Score
(slang) To acquire or gain.
I scored some drugs last night.
Did you score tickets for the concert?
Score
To extract a bribe.
Score
To obtain a sexual favor.
Chris finally scored with Pat last week.
Score
(transitive) To provide (a film, etc.) with a musical score.
Score
Acknowledgement of success
Score
A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account.
Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used.
Score
An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness.
He parted well, and paid his score.
Score
Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf.
But left the trade, as many moreHave lately done on the same score.
You act your kindness in Cydaria's score.
Score
The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number.
Amongst three or four score hogsheads.
At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by scores.
Score
A distance of twenty yards; - a term used in ancient archery and gunnery.
Score
A weight of twenty pounds.
Score
The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.
Score
A line drawn; a groove or furrow.
Score
The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; - so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts.
Score
The grade received on an examination, such as those given in school or as a qualifying examination for a job or admission to school; - it may be expressed as a percentage of answers which are correct, or as a number or letter; as, a score of 98 in a civil service exam.
Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it?
Score
To mark with lines, scratches, or notches; to cut notches or furrows in; to notch; to scratch; to furrow; as, to score timber for hewing; to score the back with a lash.
Let us score their backs.
A briar in that tangled wildernessHad scored her white right hand.
Score
Especially, to mark with significant lines or notches, for indicating or keeping account of something; as, to score a tally.
Score
To mark or signify by lines or notches; to keep record or account of; to set down; to record; to charge.
Madam, I know when,Instead of five, you scored me ten.
Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score.
Score
To engrave, as upon a shield.
Score
To make a score of, as points, runs, etc., in a game.
Score
To mark with parallel lines or scratches; as, the rocks of New England and the Western States were scored in the drift epoch.
Score
To keep the score in a game; to act as scorer.
Score
To make or count a point or points, as in a game; to tally.
Score
To run up a score, or account of dues.
Score
To succeed in finding a partner for sexual intercourse; to make a sexual conquest.
Score
To purchase drugs illegally.
Score
A number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance);
She made good marks in algebra
Grade A milk
What was your score on your homework?
Score
A written form of a musical composition; parts for different instruments appear on separate staves on large pages;
He studied the score of the sonata
Score
A number that expresses the accomplishment of a team or an individual in a game or contest;
The score was 7 to 0
Score
A set of twenty members;
A score were sent out but only one returned
Score
Grounds;
Don't do it on my account
The paper was rejected on account of its length
He tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful
Score
The facts about an actual situation;
He didn't know the score
Score
An amount due (as at a restaurant or bar);
Add it to my score and I'll settle later
Score
A slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)
Score
A resentment strong enough to justify retaliation;
Holding a grudge
Settling a score
Score
The act of scoring in a game or sport;
The winning score came with less than a minute left to play
Score
A seduction culminating in sexual intercourse;
Calling his seduction of the girl a `score' was a typical example of male slang
Score
Gain points in a game;
The home team scored many times
He hit a home run
He hit .300 in the past season
Score
Make small marks into the surface of;
Score the clay before firing it
Score
Make underscoring marks
Score
Write a musical score for
Score
Induce to have sex;
Harry finally seduced Sally
Did you score last night?
Harry made Sally
Score
Get a certain number or letter indicating quality or performance;
She scored high on the SAT
He scored a 200
Score
Assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation;
Grade tests
Score the SAT essays
Mark homework
Score
Marking paper or cardstock to fold it.
Score the paper along the dotted line for a neat fold.
Score
Technique in material fabrication.
Scoring the metal allowed for precise bends.
Common Curiosities
Is specialized equipment required for scoring?
Generally, basic tools like scoring wheels or utility knives are used, which are less specialized than engraving tools.
Which technique would be suitable for artistic decorations?
Engraving is more suitable for artistic decorations due to its depth and permanence.
Can engraving be used for identification purposes?
Yes, engraving is often used to permanently mark items for identification.
What is the primary purpose of engraving?
To create decorative or functional designs by cutting into hard surfaces.
Are there safety concerns associated with scoring?
Yes, handling sharp tools and the potential for material shards necessitate safety precautions.
Can both engraving and scoring be automated?
Yes, both processes can be automated, though engraving often benefits from manual artistic input.
How does scoring assist in material handling?
Scoring creates a weak point to facilitate a clean break or fold in the material.
How does the skill requirement differ between engraving and scoring?
Engraving requires artistic skills and precision, whereas scoring mainly requires precision.
What materials can be engraved?
Materials like metal, wood, glass, and plastics are commonly engraved.
What materials are commonly scored?
Materials such as glass, tiles, and paper are frequently scored.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
