reckon

reckon — verb

1. to have a personal opinion or belief about something, often without full proof o

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to have a personal opinion or belief about something, often without full proof or certainty — for example, reckoning that a plan will work or that a person is right.

Example

I reckon we should leave before the traffic gets any worse.

Obi reckons the new Thai restaurant on Green Street is worth trying.

Common collocations
  • I reckon
  • reckon (that)
  • do you reckon
Synonyms
  • think

    more neutral in register; works in both British and American English

  • believe

    slightly stronger conviction than 'reckon'; also more formal

  • suppose

    closer to a tentative guess; often implies less confidence

Antonyms
  • doubt

    opposite: to think something is unlikely or not true

Grammar Patterns

I reckon (that) + clause

Usage Note

Common in British and Australian English but less frequent in American English, where 'think' or 'guess' is preferred. Often begins a personal-opinion statement ('I reckon…') and is one of the few verbs where a first-person subject is the default pattern.

Common Mistakes

I reckon her to be smart.
I reckon she is smart.
In this sense, 'reckon' does not take an object plus infinitive; use a that-clause instead.
I reckon you to go now.
I reckon you should go now.
'reckon' is not followed by an object + infinitive; use a modal or a that-clause.

2. to be widely regarded or judged in a particular way by other people — for instan

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to be widely regarded or judged in a particular way by other people — for instance, being reckoned the best in a field or reckoned a success by critics.

Example

Professor Noor is reckoned to be one of the leading experts in climate science.

passive: be reckoned to be + noun phrase

The old town district is reckoned the most beautiful part of the city by visitors.

Common collocations
  • be reckoned to be
  • be reckoned as
  • be reckoned + noun
  • reckoned among
Synonyms
  • consider

    more neutral and widely used; no passive preference

  • regard

    commonly paired with 'as' ('regard as'); slightly more formal

  • deem

    formal register; often used in official or legal contexts

Grammar Patterns

be reckoned to be + noun/adjective

be reckoned as + noun

be reckoned + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice with 'to be' or 'as.' The subject is typically a person evaluated for a quality or a thing assessed for its value. Active use ('critics reckon her the best') is possible but less common.

Common Mistakes

She reckons to be the best player' (meaning others consider her).
She is reckoned to be the best player.
For the 'judged by others' meaning, use passive voice.
He is reckoned as clever person.
He is reckoned as a clever person.
When using 'as', include the article before the noun.

3. to work out a number, cost, or quantity, typically by making a rough estimate ra

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to work out a number, cost, or quantity, typically by making a rough estimate rather than arriving at an exact figure — for example, reckoning a bill at a certain total.

Example

The builder reckoned the cost of the new kitchen at around fifteen thousand dollars.

reckon + noun + at + amount for cost estimates

The travel agent reckoned that the journey would take about three hours by train.

Common collocations
  • reckon at
  • reckon that
  • reckon the cost
  • reckon the amount
Synonyms
  • estimate

    more formal; preferred in professional and technical writing

  • calculate

    suggests a precise mathematical process rather than a rough guess

  • compute

    formal; implies systematic calculation, often using data

Grammar Patterns

reckon + noun + at + amount

reckon (that) + clause

Usage Note

Often followed by 'at' when giving a specific figure ('reckon the cost at…'). Can also take a that-clause for an estimated outcome. This sense is the original meaning of 'reckon' (from counting), predating the opinion senses historically.

Common Mistakes

I reckon the cost is $500' (when you mean you calculated it).
I reckon the cost at $500.
Use 'at' to introduce the estimated figure.
They reckon the distance for 10 miles.
They reckon the distance at 10 miles.
Preposition 'at', not 'for'.
Phrasal verbs

reckon on

phrasal verb

To expect or depend on something happening.

We reckon on finishing the project by Friday.

Can I reckon on your help for the event?

reckon up

phrasal verb

To calculate the total amount of something.

The waiter reckoned up the bill for our table.

She quickly reckoned up the costs in her head.

reckon with

phrasal verb

To consider or deal with something that is difficult or important.

The team must reckon with the strong opposition.

We have to reckon with the possibility of rain.

reckon without

phrasal verb

To fail to consider or include something in your plans.

They reckoned without the sudden change in weather.

He reckoned without his sister's objections.

Idioms

a name to conjure with

idiom

A person or thing that is famous and highly respected in a particular area.

In the world of jazz, Miles Davis is a name to conjure with.

That small bakery is a name to conjure with among locals.

a name to reckon with

idiom

A person or thing that is important and must be taken seriously in a field.

After winning the championship, she became a name to reckon with.

In tech startups, that company is a name to reckon with.

Word family

  • reckoning
    nounB2
  • reckoner
    nounC1
  • unreckoned
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words express a personal opinion without full certainty, but they differ in register and confidence level. 'Think' is the most neutral and widely used in both British and American English. 'Believe' carries a slightly stronger conviction and is more formal. 'Suppose' suggests a tentative guess with less confidence. 'Reckon' is the most informal and is primarily British and Australian; an American speaker would typically use 'think' or 'guess' instead. For example: 'I think it will rain' is neutral; 'I believe it will rain' is more confident; 'I suppose it might rain' is hesitant; 'I reckon it'll rain' is casual British conversation.

think ↗believe ↗suppose ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be reckoned to be
  • be reckoned as

Prepositions

Etymology

West GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'reckon' comes from Old English 'gerecenian', meaning 'to explain, recount, or relate'. This traces back to a West Germanic root connected to counting and listing things. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'to count or calculate' (still used in sense 3) to 'to form a judgment by weighing facts', which then gave rise to the personal opinion sense (sense 1) and the passive judgment sense (sense 2).