count

countverb

To count is to find a number by taking things one at a time, or to have value and be included when things are judged.

1. find a numberfind the total number of people or things in a group

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + wh-clause [V + wh]

   • I counted the chairs, and there are only nine. V + obj
   • Count how many people are coming to dinner. V + wh
   • The votes are still being counted. V + obj (passive)
   • She counted slowly, pointing at each box.

   Collocations

   verb + noun count the money, count votes, count the days

   adverb + verb count carefully, count again

   Synonyms add up

2. say numberssay numbers one after another in the right order

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • My little brother can count to twenty. V + adv/prep
   • Close your eyes and count to ten. V + adv/prep
   • She is learning to count in Spanish.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition count to ten, count from one to a hundred

   phrase count backward

3. matterbe important or have value

   intransitive [I]

   • Every minute counts when someone is badly hurt.
   • It's the thought that counts, not the price of the gift.
   • First impressions really count in a job interview.
   • What counts is that everyone got home safely.

   Collocations

   adverb + verb really count, count for a lot, count for nothing

   Synonyms matter

   For translators (sense 3)

   Meaning across languages This sense (every minute counts) is usually translated with a word meaning be important, not the word for finding a number.

4. be acceptedbe accepted as a proper example of something, or as allowed by the rules

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Does a short phone call count as a visit? V + prep + obj
   • That goal doesn't count because the game had already ended.
   • Children under five don't count, so they get in free.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition count as something, count toward something, count against someone

5. includeinclude someone or something when you are finding a total

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • There are six of us, counting the children. V + obj
   • Not counting the weekend, the trip took four days. V + obj
   • Did you count yourself when you booked the table? V + obj

   Collocations

   phrase not counting, counting someone

   Synonyms include

6. considerconsider someone or something to be a particular kind of person or thing

   transitive [T] verb + object + as + noun or adjective [V + obj + as] verb + object + adjective [V + obj + adj] verb + object + noun complement [V + obj + noun] formal

   • I count her as one of my closest friends. V + obj + as
   • You can count yourself lucky that nobody was hurt. V + obj + adj
   • He counted it an honor to be asked. V + obj + noun

   Collocations

   phrase count yourself lucky, count someone as a friend

   Synonyms consider

See also count on