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

As a career journalist, it will always be impossible for me to reckon with this.

From Salon

Reporting suggests that Trump was especially enamored with Hegseth's skill at whining, and especially about how easily threatened he is by women, people who are different, and any demands that he learn stuff or reckon with new ideas.

From Salon

“It’s hard to understand how so many of our fellow citizens, people Democrats have long fought to help, wound up choosing the path they did. And it’s hard to reckon with what that path looks like over the next four years.”

From Salon

Today we must reckon with the harsh reality that authoritarianism has arrived in America, that it’s broadly popular and that millions of our fellow citizens have given it their votes.

From Los Angeles Times

Helene and its aftermath have highlighted a climate change truth we all have to reckon with: The effects of a weather disaster go on long after the rain has stopped, and those effects are complex and hard to prepare for.

From Slate

Related Words

• calculate
• look upon
• take account of