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 Bellinger likely exiting his deal, the Yankees shouldn't be counted out from signing the best available outfield option on the market. —Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

And don’t count out Stavros Halkias in a Paul Walter Hauser-type performance as Teddy’s childhood babysitter who’s now the town cop. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025

Don’t count out annual flowers such as dahlias, zinnias and Bolivian verbena and even some non-native autumn bloomers such as toad lilies. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025

Still, don’t fully count out the Cajuns — at least to keep it close. —Maddie Hartley august 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2025

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