count

I. count¹ S2 W3 /kaʊnt/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑count, ↑recount, ↑counter; verb: ↑count, ↑recount; adjective: ↑countable ≠ ↑uncountable, ↑countless]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conter, from Latin computare; ⇨ ↑compute]
1. FIND THE TOTAL [transitive] (also count up) to calculate the total number of things or people in a group:
I was amazed at the number of plants – I counted 147.
count (up) how many
Count up how many ticks are in each box.
2. SAY NUMBERS [intransitive] (also count up) to say numbers in order, one by one or in groups
count to
Sarah can count up to five now.
count by twos/fives etc
It’s quicker to count by tens (=saying 10, 20, 30 ...).
3. BE ALLOWED [intransitive and transitive] to be allowed or accepted, or to allow or accept something, according to a standard, set of ideas, or set of rules:
A linesman had his flag up so the kick did not count.
count as
Locally produced sales by American firms in Japan do not count as exports.
Today’s session is counted as training, so you will get paid.
count towards
Results from the two rounds count towards championship points.
4. INCLUDE [transitive] to include someone or something in a total:
There are more than two thousand of us, not counting the crew.
count somebody/something among something
I count Jules and Ady among my closest friends.
5. CONSIDER SOMETHING [transitive] to consider someone or something in a particular way
count somebody/something as something
I don’t count him as a friend any more.
You should count yourself lucky that you weren’t hurt.
6. IMPORTANT [intransitive not in progressive] to be important or valuable:
First impressions really do count.
count for
His promises don’t count for much.
His overseas results count for nothing.
7. I/you can count somebody/something on (the fingers of) one hand spoken used to emphasize how small the number of something is:
The number of cougar attacks on humans can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
8. don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched) spoken used to say that you should not make plans that depend on something good happening, because it might not:
I wouldn’t count your chickens, Mr Vass. I’ve agreed to sign the contract, but that’s all.
9. count your blessings spoken used to tell someone to be grateful for the good things in their life
10. be counting (down) the minutes/hours/days to be waiting eagerly for something to happen:
I'm counting the days until I see you again.
11. count the cost to start having problems as a result of your earlier decisions or mistakes:
We’re now counting the cost of not taking out medical insurance.
12. who’s counting? used to say that you are not worried about the number of times something happens – often used humorously:
Apparently the next Star Trek film (number six, but who’s counting?) will definitely be the last.
13. and counting especially spoken used to say that an amount is continuing to increase:
At eight days and counting, this is the longest strike so far.
14. count sheep to imagine a line of sheep jumping over a fence, one at a time, and count them as a way of getting to sleep
⇨ stand up and be counted at ↑stand¹(5), ⇨ it’s the thought that counts at ↑thought²(12)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ calculate formal to find out an amount, price, or value by adding numbers together: The students calculated the cost of printing 5000 copies of their book.
▪ work out to calculate something. Work out is less formal than calculate, and is more common in everyday English: You need to work out how much you will need to borrow.
▪ figure out (also figure American English) informal to calculate an amount: We still haven't figured out how much it's all going to cost. | the method for figuring welfare payments
▪ count to find out the total number of things or people in a group by looking at each one and adding them all together: The teacher counted the children as they got on the bus.
▪ total (also total up) to add a number of things together to get a final number: Once the scores have been totaled, we will announce the winner. | Okay, now let's total up who had the most points.
▪ quantify formal to say how much something costs, how much of it there is, how serious or effective it is etc: I think it's difficult to quantify the cost at the moment, for a variety of reasons. | How do you quantify the benefits of the treatment? | a reliable method for quantifying the amount of calcium in the blood
▪ assess formal to calculate what the value or cost of something is, or decide how good, bad etc something is: The value of the paintings was assessed at $20 million. | They are still assessing the damage. | We need to have a better way of assessing students' progress.
▪ estimate to guess an amount, price, or number as exactly as you can, based on the knowledge you have: The police department estimates that the number of violent crimes will decrease by 2%.
▪ put a figure on something to say what you think the exact total amount or value of something is, especially when it is a lot: It's hard to put a figure on it, but the final cost is likely to be over £225 million. | The company has refused to put a figure on its losses.
▪ project to calculate what an amount will be in the future, using the information you have now: The company projects sales of $4 million this year.
count somebody in phrasal verb
to include someone in an activity:
When the game gets started, you can count me in.
count on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to depend on someone or something, especially in a difficult situation:
You can count on me.
With luck, you might cover your costs, but don’t count on it.
count on (somebody/something) doing something
We’re all counting on winning this contract.
They were counting on him not coming out of hospital.
count on somebody/something to do something
You can count on Dean to ruin any party.
2. to expect something:
The presence of Paula was one thing he hadn’t counted on.
count on (somebody/something) doing something
We didn’t count on so many people being on vacation.
count somebody/something out phrasal verb
1. to not include someone or something in an activity:
I’m sorry, you’ll have to count me out tonight.
2. to decide that someone or something is not important or worth considering:
I wouldn’t count him out. If anybody can make a comeback, he can.
3. count something ↔ out to put things down one by one as you count them:
The teller counted out ten $50 bills.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

count

count [count counts counted counting] verb, noun [kaʊnt] [kaʊnt]

verb

SAY NUMBERS
1. intransitive to say numbers in the correct order
• Billy can't count yet.
• ~ to/up to sth She can count up to 10 in Italian.

• ~ (from sth) to/up to sth to count from 1 to 10

FIND TOTAL

2. transitive, intransitive to calculate the total number of people, things, etc. in a particular group
• ~ sth (up) The diet is based on counting calories.
• Count the ‘yes’ votes and the ‘no’ votes separately.
• ~ (up) how many… She began to count up how many guests they had to invite.

• ~ from… There are 12 weeks to go, counting from today.

INCLUDE

3. transitive ~ sb/sth to include sb/sth when you calculate a total

• We have invited 50 people, not counting the children.

MATTER

4. intransitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to be important
Syn: matter
• Every point in this game counts.
• It's the thought that counts (= used about a small but kind action or gift).

• ~ for sth The fact that she had apologized counted for nothing with him.

ACCEPT OFFICIALLY

5. intransitive, transitive to be officially accepted; to accept sth officially
• Don't go over that line or your throw won't count.

• ~ sth Applications received after 1 July will not be counted.

CONSIDER

6. intransitive, transitive ~ as sb/sth | ~ sb/sth (as) sb/sth to consider sb/sth in a particular way; to be considered in a particular way
• ~ (sb/sth) as sb/sth For tax purposes that money counts/is counted as income.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adv./prep. I count him among my closest friends.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adj. I count myself lucky to have known him.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + noun She counts herself one of the lucky ones.

Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 5 and v. Middle English Old French counte counter computare ‘calculate’ com- ‘together’ putare ‘to settle (an account)’
n. sense 6 late Middle English Old French conte Latin comes comit- ‘companion, overseer, attendant’ late Latin ‘person holding a state office’ com- ‘together with’ it- ‘gone’ ire ‘go’

Thesaurus:
count verb T, I
• She counted up how many guests had been invited.
add • • calculate • • total • • tally • • work sth out • • figure sth out • |AmE figure • |BrE, informal tot sth up • |formal compute •
count/add/total/tally/tot up
count up/add up/calculate/total up/tally up/work out/figure out/figure/tot up/compute how much/how many …
count/add/calculate/tally/work out/figure out/figure/tot up/compute the number of sth
count/add up/calculate/total/tally/tot up sb's points/score
Synonyms:
trust
depend on sb/sth • rely on sb/sth • count on sb/sth • believe in sb
These words all mean to believe that sb/sth will do what you hope or expect of them or that what they tell you is correct or true.
trust • to believe that sb is good, honest, sincere, etc. and that they will do what you expect of them or do the right thing; to believe that sth is true or correct: ▪ You can trust me not to tell anyone. ◊ ▪ Don't trust what you read in the newspapers!
depend on/upon sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, to do the right thing, or to be true or correct: ▪ He was the sort of person you could depend on. ◊ ▪ Can you depend on her version of what happened?
rely on/upon sb/sth • (used especially with can/cannot/could/could not and should/should not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, or to be honest, correct or good enough: ▪ Can I rely on you to keep this secret? ◊ ▪ You can't rely on any figures you get from them.
trust, depend or rely on/upon sb/sth?
You can trust a person but not a thing or system. You can trust sb's judgement or advice, but not their support. You can depend on sb's support, but not their judgement or advice. Rely on/upon sb/sth is used especially with you can/could or you should to give advice or a promise: I don't really rely on his judgement. ◊ ▪ You can't really rely on his judgement.
count on sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to be sure that sb will do what you need them to do, or that sth will happen as you want it to happen: ▪ I'm counting on you to help me. ◊ ▪ We can't count on the good weather lasting.
believe in sb • to feel that you can trust sb and/or that they will be successful: ▪ They need a leader they can believe in.
to trust/depend on/rely on/count on sb/sth to do sth
to trust/believe in sb/sth
to trust/rely on sb's advice/judgement
to depend on/rely on/count on sb's support
to completely trust/depend on/rely on/believe in sb/sth
Example Bank:
• He can now count from one to twenty.
• She carefully counted the remaining coins and put them to one side.
• We counted up our money.
• We counted up to fifty, then set off to look for our friends.
• Count the ‘yes’ votes and the ‘no’ votes separately.
• Everyone needs to stand up and be counted in order to make them see the strength of our conviction.
• For tax purposes that money counts/is counted as income.
• I count myself lucky to have known him.
Idioms: able to count somebody on one hand ▪ at the last count ▪ count sheep ▪ count the cost ▪ count your blessings ▪ don't count your chickens ▪ keep count ▪ lose count ▪ out for the count ▪ stand up and be counted ▪ who's counting? ▪ … and counting

Derived: count against somebody ▪ count down ▪ count on somebody ▪ count somebody in ▪ count somebody out ▪ count something against somebody ▪ count toward something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

count / kaʊnt / verb (NUMBER)

B1 [ I or T ] to say numbers one after the other in order, or to calculate the number of people or things in a group:

Let's count out loud (= speak the words) from one to ten.

The teachers counted the students as they got on to the coach.

Count your money carefully to make sure it's all there.

[ + question word ] We need to count wh o's here, so we can make sure that no one's missing.

There'll be eight for dinner, counting (= including) ourselves.

We're still waiting for the votes to be counted (up).

count heads to count the number of people present somewhere:

There look to be about 50 people present - I haven't counted heads yet.

count / kaʊnt / verb [ I ] (HAVE VALUE)

B2 to have value or importance:

I've always believed that happiness counts more than money.

My opinion doesn't count for anything around here (= no one values my opinion) .

→ Synonym matter verb

count / kaʊnt / verb [ I or T ] (CONSIDER)

C2 to consider or be considered as:

I count my self fortunate to have had such a good education.

I've had three jobs in the last five years, but one of them was unpaid, so it doesn't count (= cannot be considered as a real job) .

I've always counted Lucy among my closest friends.

I didn't think his grudging remarks really counted as an apology.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

count

[ka͟ʊnt]
♦♦
counts, counting, counted
1) VERB When you count, you say all the numbers one after another up to a particular number.
  He was counting slowly under his breath...
  [V to num] Brian counted to twenty and lifted his binoculars.
2) VERB If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are.
  [V n] At the last family wedding, George's wife counted the total number in the family...
  [V n] I counted the money. It was more than five hundred pounds...
  [V num] I counted 34 wild goats grazing...
  [V-ed] With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, the Liberals should win nearly a third of the seats. [Also V]
  Derived words:
  counting N-UNCOUNT usu the N of n The counting of votes is proceeding smoothly.
PHRASAL VERB
Count up means the same as count. Also V n P V P n (not pron) Couldn't we just count up our ballots and bring them to the courthouse?
3) N-COUNT: usu supp N A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them.
  The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour...
  At the last count the police in the Rimini area had 247 people in custody.
4) N-COUNT: n N You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has.
→ See also blood count, pollen count
  A glass or two of wine will not significantly add to the calorie count...
  My husband had a very low sperm count.
5) N-SING: N of num You use count in expressions such as a count of three or a count of ten when you are measuring a length of time by counting slowly up to a certain number.
  Hold your breath for a count of five, then slowly breathe out...
  The fight ended when Mendoza landed a hard right to the chin of Palacios, who went down for a count of eight.
6) VERB If something or someone counts for something or counts, they are important or valuable.
  Surely it doesn't matter where charities get their money from: what counts is what they do with it...
  It's as if your opinions, your likes and dislikes just don't count...
  [V for amount] When I first came to college I realised that brainpower didn't count for much...
  [V for amount] Experience counts for a lot in poker.
  Syn:
  matter
7) V-ERG If something counts or is counted as a particular thing, it is regarded as being that thing, especially in particular circumstances or under particular rules.
  [V as n/-ing/adj] No one agrees on what counts as a desert...
  [be V-ed as n/-ing/adj] Any word that's not legible will be counted as wrong...
  Two of the trucks were stopped because they had tents in them, and under the commanders' definition of humanitarian aid, that didn't count...
  [be V-ed n/adj] It can be counted a success, in that it has built up substantial sales. [Also V n n/adj, V n as n/-ing/adj]
8) VERB If you count something when you are making a calculation, you include it in that calculation.
  [V n] It's under 7 percent only because statistics don't count the people who aren't qualified to be in the work force...
  [be V-ed as n] The years before their arrival in prison are not counted as part of their sentence. [Also V n as n]
  Syn:
  include
9) N-COUNT: on supp N You can use count to refer to one or more points that you are considering. For example, if someone is wrong on two counts, they are wrong in two ways.
  `You drink Scotch,' she said. `All Republicans drink Scotch.' - `Wrong on both counts. I'm a Democrat, and I drink bourbon.'
10) N-COUNT: usu N of n In law, a count is one of a number of charges brought against someone in court.
  He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder.
11) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of n If you keep count of a number of things, you note or keep a record of how many have occurred. If you lose count of a number of things, you cannot remember how many have occurred.
  The authorities say they are not able to keep count of the bodies still being found as bulldozers clear the rubble...
  She'd lost count of the interviews she'd been called for.
12) PHRASE: v-link PHR If someone is out for the count, they are unconscious or very deeply asleep. [INFORMAL]
13) PHRASE If you say that someone should stand up and be counted, you mean that they should say publicly what they think, and not hide it or be ashamed of it.
  Those involved and benefiting from it must be prepared to stand up and be counted.
14) to count your blessings → see blessing
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - count against
  - count in
  - count on
  - count upon
  - count out
  - count towards
  - count up
  - count upon

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹count /ˈkaʊnt/ verb counts; count·ed; count·ing
1 a : to add (people or things) together to find the total number

[+ obj]

• Count the plates on the table.
• She made sure to count her change.
• Count how many fingers I am holding up.
• He counted seven deer in the field.
• When it comes to books, I have too many to count. [=I have a lot of books]
• She is counting calories. [=she counts the number of calories in the food she eats so that she won't eat too much]
- often + up
• She was counting up the money in the envelope.
• All the votes were counted up, and he was the winner.

[no obj]

• There are 10 days left until the end of school, counting from today.
• Keep counting until there are no more left to count.
• Don't interrupt me. I'm counting.
b [no obj] : to say numbers in order
• Can your daughter count yet?
• The teacher taught the students to count by 10s. [=to say “10, 20, 30,” etc.]
- often + to or up to
• My son can count to one hundred.
• He counted up to 10 and then stopped.
2 [+ obj] : to include (someone or something) in a total
• She counts [=numbers] several musicians among her friends. [=her friends include musicians]
• There will be 150 people at the wedding, not counting children.
3 [no obj] : to be accepted or allowed officially
• There was a penalty on the play, so the goal does not count. [=the goal is not allowed]
4 a [+ obj] : to consider or regard (someone or something) in a specified way
• I count myself lucky.
- often + as
• I don't count him as my friend anymore.
• She was counted as absent from school that day.
b [no obj] : to be considered or regarded as something
• A laptop computer counts as a piece of luggage on the plane.
• The job is so easy that it hardly counts as work. [=it can hardly be considered to be work]
5 [no obj] : to have value or importance
• Every vote counts.
• He played well in the play-offs, when it really counted. [=mattered]
- often + for
• My effort in class has to count for something!
• Her promises don't count for much. [=her promises don't have much value]
6 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to be considered in a specified way when a person or thing is being judged

[no obj]

• His experience counts in his favor. [=his experience is a good thing that is in his favor]
• His lack of experience counts against him.
• A wrong answer on the quiz will not count against [=will not hurt] your final grade.

[+ obj]

• They counted his lack of job experience against him.
• A wrong answer on the quiz will not be counted against your final grade.
and counting : with more to come
• He is 47 years old and counting.
• They have been in business for 50 years and counting.
count down [phrasal verb]
1 : to count numbers in a reverse order from higher numbers to lower ones
• He counted down from 10 to 1.
2 count down (something) also count (something) down : to pay close attention to the number of (days, miles, etc.) that remain until a particular moment or event is reached
• He is counting down the days left in the school year. [=he is eagerly looking forward to the end of the school year]
• We were counting down the miles as we approached our destination.
count heads : to count how many people are present at a place
• The coach counted heads before the bus left.
count in [phrasal verb] count (someone) in : to plan to include (someone) in an activity : to consider (someone) as one of the people who will be doing something
• “Do you want to go to the beach with us?” “Yes! Count me in!”
count off [phrasal verb]
1 : to count numbers that are spaced a certain number apart
• The students counted off by twos. [=counted 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.]
2 count off (something) or count (something) off : to list (something) out loud
• She counted off all the things she wanted to do.
count on/upon [phrasal verb]
1 count on/upon (someone)
a : to trust (someone) : to rely or depend on (someone) to do something
• He isn't someone you can count on all the time.
• I am counting on you to help me through this difficult time.
• She is counted on [=trusted] as a leader.
b : to expect (someone) to do something
• I wouldn't count on him to win the match.
2 count on/upon (something) : to expect (something) to happen
• My parents might loan me some money, but I can't count on it.
• She is counting on a big tax refund this year.
• The kids are counting on going to the movies. Don't disappoint them!
• They were not counting on getting a flat tire on the way to the restaurant.
count out [phrasal verb]
1 count (someone) out : to not include (someone) in an activity
• If you are looking for people to help you clean the house today, count me out. [=don't include me; I won't be helping you]
2 count (someone or something) out or count out (someone or something) : to decide that (someone or something) cannot win or succeed
• Don't count out our team just yet. They could still win.
count the cost : to feel the bad effects of a mistake, accident, etc.
• He was careless and now he's counting the cost. = Now he's counting the cost of his carelessness.
count toward/towards [phrasal verb] count toward/towards (something) or count (something) toward/towards (something) : to have value as a credit or payment in relation to (something)
• The credits you earned for this class count toward your degree. [=they are added to the total number of credits you have earned for your degree]
- often used as (be) counted toward/towards
• Fifty dollars will be counted towards [=credited to] your next bill.
count your blessings
- see blessing
count your chickens before they hatch
- see ¹chicken
stand up and be counted
- see ¹stand
who's counting? informal + humorous
- used to say that you do not care about how large a number is
• Tomorrow's my 80th birthday, but who's counting?