reckon

[rek-uhn]

verb (used with object)

1. to count, compute, or calculate, as in number or amount.

   Synonyms: enumerate

2. to esteem or consider; regard as.

   to be reckoned an authority in the field.

   Synonyms: judge, estimate, deem, account

3. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.,  to think or suppose.

verb (used without object)

1. to count; make a computation or calculation.

2. to settle accounts, as with a person (often followed byup ).

3. to count, depend, or rely, as in expectation (often followed byon ).

4. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.,  to think or suppose.

verb phrase

1. reckon with

   1. to include in consideration or planning; anticipate.

      He hadn't reckoned with so many obstacles.

   2. to deal with.

      I have to reckon with many problems every day.

reckon

/ ˈrɛkən /

verb

1. to calculate or ascertain by calculating; compute

2. (tr) to include; count as part of a set or class

   I reckon her with the angels

3. (usually passive) to consider or regard

   he is reckoned clever

4. (when tr, takes a clause as object) to think or suppose; be of the opinion

   I reckon you don't know where to go next

5. to settle accounts (with)

6. (intr; foll by with or without) to take into account or fail to take into account

   the bully reckoned without John's big brother

7. (intr; foll by on or upon) to rely or depend

   I reckon on your support in this crisis

8. slang,  (tr) to regard as good

   I don't reckon your chances of success

9. informal,  (tr) to have a high opinion of

   she was sensitive to bad reviews, even from people she did not reckon

10. of considerable importance or influence

Other Word Forms

• reckonable adjective
• outreckon verb (used with object)
• prereckon verb (used with object)
• underreckon verb (used with object)
• unreckon verb (used with object)
• unreckonable adjective
• unreckoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reckon¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English rekenen, Old English gerecenian “to report, pay”; cognate with German rechnen “to compute”

Word History and Origins

Origin of reckon¹

Old English ( ge ) recenian recount; related to Old Frisian rekenia , Old High German rehhanón to count

Idioms and Phrases

• force to be reckoned with

Example Sentences

There was a lengthy interview with the subject herself, replete with quotes meant to amplify her image as an iconoclast and a force to be reckoned with.

From Salon

And many in the party reckon she is going after the wrong customers and ought to be trying to appeal more to soft liberals or soft Tories, rather than to those interested in Reform.

From BBC

"I reckon if a car wasn't parked there, he would've been sitting in my waiting room," he said.

From BBC

The album, like the show, is a reckoning with her past.

From BBC

This is reckoned to be at least £9,000 short of the cost to universities.

From BBC

Related Words

• calculate 
• look upon www.thesaurus.com
• take account of