reckon

UK: /ˈrɛkən/ US: /ˈrɛkən/ ,(rek′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

reck•on /ˈrɛkən/   v. 

1. to count, compute, or calculate:
   [~ + object] to reckon profits.
2. to consider (someone or something) as;
   look upon (someone or something) as: [~ + object (+ as) + object]
   reckoned her (as) an outstanding expert.
   [~ + object + among + object]
   She is reckoned among the most important experts of that field.
3. Dialect Terms [Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.] to think or suppose: [~ + (that) clause]
   I reckon (that) she'll be here soon.
   [no object]
   Will she come to the party? I reckon so.
4. to count, depend, or rely;
   expect: [~ + on + object]
   The general didn't reckon on a surprise attack.
   [~ + to + verb]
   The company reckons to sell over a million cars.
5. reckon with, [~ + with + object]
   • to consider or anticipate:
     He hadn't reckoned with bad weather.
   • to deal with:
     She has to reckon with this kind of complaint all day long.
   • to consider seriously:
     a sales force to be reckoned with.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

reck•on  (rek′ən), v.t. 

1. to count, compute, or calculate, as in number or amount.
2. to esteem or consider;
   regard as:
   to be reckoned an authority in the field.
3. Dialect Terms [Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.] to think or suppose.

v.i. 

4. to count;
   make a computation or calculation.
5. to settle accounts, as with a person (often fol. by up).
6. to count, depend, or rely, as in expectation (often fol. by on).
7. Dialect Terms [Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.] to think or suppose.
8. reckon with:
   • to include in consideration or planning;
     anticipate:
     He hadn't reckoned with so many obstacles.
   • to deal with:
     I have to reckon with many problems every day.

• bef. 1000; Middle English rekenen, Old English gerecenian (attested once) to report, pay; cognate with German rechnen to compute

reck′on•a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. enumerate.
• 2. account, deem, estimate, judge.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

reckon / ˈrɛkən/ verb

1. to calculate or ascertain by calculating; compute
2. (transitive) 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. (intransitive) followed by with: to settle accounts (with)
6. (intr; followed by with or without) to take into account or fail to take into account: the bully reckoned without my big brother
7. (intr; followed by on or upon) to rely or depend: I reckon on your support in this crisis
8. (transitive) to regard as good: I don't reckon your chances of success
9. (transitive) 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

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