Reckon
/ˈrɛkən/
verbB1
Definition
Reckon is a word used when someone gives their opinion or guess about something. It means to think or believe something is true, often without full proof. It can also mean to do a calculation or count numbers, like figuring out a total.
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See It in Action
To think or believe something
- •I reckon it will rain tomorrow.
- •Do you reckon she will come to the party?
- •They reckon the movie is very good.
To calculate or count
- •We need to reckon the total cost before buying.
- •He reckoned the number of people in the room.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "reckon" like "think" (A1 word), but more informal and sometimes based on feeling or experience, not just facts
- ✓Picture someone sitting and quietly guessing an answer or number in their head
- ✓It's the feeling when you are sure about something but don't have all the evidence, like guessing the time without a clock
- ✓Sounds like "wreck-on" → imagine a shipwreck and someone trying to figure out what happened by thinking carefully
- ✓In stories, characters often reckon what will happen next based on what they know or see
- ✓NOT like "know" (certain and proven), "reckon" is more about opinion or estimation
- ✓NOT like "calculate" (exact math), "reckon" can be a rough guess or opinion
- ✓NOT like "guess" (random), "reckon" often uses some knowledge or reason to decide
Try Other Words
- •Guess: to give an answer without full information (Use when the opinion is less certain and more random)
- •Calculate: to find a number by math (Use when exact numbers or math is involved)
- •Believe: to accept something as true (Use when you want to express stronger confidence than "reckon")
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word "reckon")
- •Etymology: From Old English "recenian," meaning to explain or relate
- •Historical development: Originally meant to explain or tell a story, later it evolved to mean counting or thinking
- •Modern usage: Common in informal speech for expressing opinion or rough calculation, especially in British and Australian English
Reflect & Connect
•How do you decide when to use "reckon" instead of "think" in a conversation?
•Can "reckon" be used when you are very sure about something, or is it always a guess?
Fill in the blanks
1.I reckon the test will be ___ difficult than last time because the teacher said so.
2.When you reckon the total cost, you must include ___ and taxes.
3.She reckoned that the meeting would ___ longer than expected.
4.Unlike "know," when you reckon something, you might not have ___ proof.
5.People often reckon about the weather by looking at the ___ in the sky.
6.He reckoned ___ the number of guests before ordering food.
7.If you are not sure, you can say "I reckon," which means you ___ an opinion, not a fact.