count
kownt
Count (verb) means to say numbers in order, or to work out the total number of something. Example: “The teacher counted the children as they climbed onto the coach.”
verb
1
To say numbers in order, or to work out the total number of something.
"The teacher counted the children as they climbed onto the coach."
"She counted the coins in the jar one by one."
"He can count to a hundred in Spanish."
2
To matter or be of significance.
"It's not the size of the gift that counts, but the thought behind it."
"Your opinion counts here, so please tell us honestly what you think."
"Every vote counts in a close election."
noun
1
The total reached by counting; a tally.
"After the quiz, the host announced the final count of correct answers."
"Check the word count before you hand in your essay."
"The final count showed over ten thousand attendees."
2
A nobleman ranking below a duke and above a baron in some European countries.
"In the story, the count invited every guest to a grand ball at his castle."
"The portrait showed a stern count in a velvet coat and a feathered hat."
"The count owned most of the land surrounding the village."
How to use count
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo add up numbers or matter in importance — or, as a noun, either a total or a European noble rank.
Common pairings
count on someone
lose count
final count
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Word forms
- Plural
- counts
- Third person singular
- counts
- Past tense
- counted
- Archaic forms
- countest, countedst, counteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher _____ the children as they climbed onto the coach.
Etymology
The counting sense traces to Latin computāre ("to calculate") via Old French; the noble title comes separately from Latin comes ("companion, count").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
miscount
Related words
Rhymes for count
See all rhymes for count →Frequently asked questions
What does “count” mean?
The word “count” means to say numbers in order, or to work out the total number of something. In plain terms, to add up numbers or matter in importance — or, as a noun, either a total or a European noble rank.
How do you pronounce “count”?
“Count” is pronounced kownt (/kaʊnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “count” in a sentence?
Here is “count” used in a sentence: “She counted the coins in the jar one by one.”
What is another word for “count”?
Words with a similar meaning to “count” include number, numerate, tally, tell and tell off.
What is the opposite of “count”?
The opposite of “count” — its antonyms — is miscount.
What part of speech is “count”?
Depending on how it is used, “count” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “count” come from?
The word “count” comes from Latin. The counting sense traces to Latin computāre ("to calculate") via Old French; the noble title comes separately from Latin comes ("companion, count").
Is “count” a common word?
“Count” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between counting and calculating?
Counting means finding how many things there are by going through them one at a time — one, two, three. Calculating goes further, using operations like adding, subtracting, or multiplying to work out a result you cannot simply tick off. You count the coins in a jar, but you calculate how much they are worth.
What does it mean to 'count on' someone?
To count on someone is an idiom meaning to rely or depend on them, trusting that they will do what is needed. If you say 'I'm counting on you', you are placing your confidence in that person. It has nothing to do with numbers; here count carries the sense of confidently expecting something.
Can 'count' mean to matter?
Yes. Besides working out numbers, count can mean to be important or to have value, as in 'every vote counts' or 'it's the thought that counts'. In this sense, if something counts, it makes a real difference and is worth taking into account. The idea of being tallied shades into the idea of mattering.
At what age do children learn to count?
Many children begin reciting number words around the age of two or three, often before they fully grasp what the numbers mean. Truly understanding counting — that each item gets one number and the last word gives the total — usually develops between four and five. Practice with everyday objects helps the skill take root.
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