count out

verb

counted out; counting out; counts out

transitive verb

1

: to not include (someone) in an activity

If you are looking for people to help you clean the house today, count me out.

2

: to decide that (someone or something) cannot win or succeed

Don't count out our team just yet. They could still win.

3

: to count (a certain number of items to be separated from a quantity one is holding)

He counted out ten tickets and handed them to her.

4

: to signal the knockout of (a boxer who is down) by completing an audible count of 10 seconds before the boxer rises

Examples of count out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And with 10 picks in the late April draft, it should not be counted out for Miami to draft a running back for the third consecutive season, especially in what could be considered a deep class at the position. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025

No possibility can be counted out — this one feels like nothing is out of the question. —Gabby Herzig, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025

Over crawling babies, these women shared similar experiences to that early brunch: a feeling of being counted out and overlooked. —Neha Ruch, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025

Prediction: Ravens 31, Texans 27 James Brizuela: The Ravens are continuing to showcase why they shouldn't be counted out against anyone. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for count out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout