counts - Master This Word
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counts Word Meanings
- to determine the total number of something
- to consider or regard as
- a title of nobility
counts Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
counts Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kaʊnt/
US
/kaʊnt/
counts Word Etymology
count = con- (with) + put (to place); from Latin 'computare' → Old French 'conter' → English. Imagine counting coins by placing them neatly in rows on a table.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I set a stack of coins on the table and move my fingers over them, pushing each into a neat line to count the pile. Then I shift my attention to the people nearby, holding some in mind and letting others drift away as I decide who to count as part of the circle. The rhythm of the motions changes my sense of value, a small turn between careful grip and light release. By the last moment, counting feels like choosing who belongs here, not just tallying numbers.
Real Context
Count is a flexible verb and noun about numbers and evaluation. As a verb, it means to determine how many items there are, or to rely on something or someone, as in count on me. It can also mean to include or tally in a larger total, for example to count the votes or to count up the cost. As a noun, count is the actual number or total, such as a count of apples. In historical sense count is a title of nobility in several European languages, including English usage in older texts, as in the Count who ruled a region. The etymology traces to con- + put for placing, via Latin computare and Old French conter; imagine coins neatly placed in rows while you count.
Usage Reminders
- Count the items, not just guess. Use count to mean total or rely on someone. Treat count as both a verb and a noun. Remember count on someone is a fixed collocation. Distinguish count from 'number' in contexts of quantity. Use counting up or counting down depending on direction.
Common Misconceptions
- Count and number are the same thing in every context
- Count always means a person with a noble title
- You can use count only as a verb
- Count on means physically count on someone
- Count and tally are completely interchangeable in all situations
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate count as the act of determining a number (verb) from the actual number itself (noun). Learners often mix up counting with listing or measuring, and may miss the collocation count on someone.
Learning Tips
- Practice counting objects in everyday scenes
- Make small counts using different units (people, pages, coins)
- Use count with on and up/down to signal reliability or progression
- Switch between count as verb and count as noun in sentences
- Read historical texts or names with Count to see the nobility sense
- Create flashcards linking count to related words like account, countable
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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