recount
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to relate or narrate; tell in detail; give the facts or particulars of.
- Synonyms:
- describe
-
to narrate in order.
-
to tell one by one; enumerate.
verb
Synonym Usage
See relate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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recountsimple
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recountssimple
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have recountedperfect
-
has recountedperfect
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am recountingprogressive
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are recountingprogressive
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is recountingprogressive
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have been recountingperfect progressive
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has been recountingperfect progressive
Past
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recountedsimple
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had recountedperfect
-
was recountingprogressive
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were recountingprogressive
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had been recountingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of recount
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English recounten, from Middle French reconter, equivalent to re- + conter “to tell, count.” See re-, count 1
Explanation
As a verb, recount can mean either "tell the story of" or "add up again." As a noun, recount usually refers to the second (or third or fourth) tallying of votes in a close election. The word count comes from the old French conter, which means "add up" or "tell a story." Here's a story to recount (narrate): In an election featuring Count Dracula and Count Johnson, Dracula wins by two votes, so Johnson demands a recount (an adding up of the votes again). The officials recount (count again) the votes, and this time find Count Johnson the winner. Dracula threatens to bite the officials and they quickly change their minds.
Vocabulary lists containing recount
Vocabulary of the Common Core
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Electoral Elocution: The Verbiage of Voting
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List 8
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Recount noted that despite Britt’s apparent admiration for the skit, Cruz took time out of the conversation to share how he felt slighted by the show.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2024
The News Movement advises brands on how to reach young consumers and has bought the Recount, which makes video content about American politics for social media and continues to operate as a separate unit.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 3, 2023
He was played by the actor Kevin Spacey in the movie Recount, which was about the presidential election of 2000.
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2023
Recount requests, she said, are becoming much more frequent.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 11, 2022
Recount to me in full detail The circumstances of the war.
From Apu Ollantay A Drama of the Time of the Incas by Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert), Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
