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 by up ).
3. to count, depend, or rely, as in expectation (often followed by on ).
4. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to think or suppose.

verb phrase

1. 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. intrfoll bywith 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. to be reckoned with
    of considerable importance or influence

Other Words From

• reckon·a·ble adjective
• outreckon verb (used with object)
• pre·reckon verb (used with object)
• under·reckon verb (used with object)
• un·reckon verb (used with object)
• un·reckon·a·ble adjective
• un·reckoned 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with reckon , also see force to be reckoned with .

Example Sentences

Its emergence coincided with several major events that have fueled a wider reckoning of South Korea’s gender inequalities in the workplace and violence against women.

From Los Angeles Times

The reckoning that needed to happen by the media in its normalizing of this man will now be replaced by the effort to hang on for dear life as the retribution begins.

From Salon

Without such a reckoning, Caitlyn will never be able to be a good partner to a woman from Zaun like Vi, no matter how much she may also love her.

From Salon

This moment of reckoning with LGBTQ+ veterans is an opportunity for the Pentagon to rethink its archaic military discharge system.

From Los Angeles Times

With Donald Trump’s reelection, the slide toward a dangerously empowered president has reached a moment of reckoning, particularly when it comes to foreign affairs and warfare.

From Salon

Related Words

• calculate
• look upon
• take account of