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

The Dodgers can’t be counted out on the biggest names, but their strategy after winning back-to-back World Series appears to prize patience over aggressive spending. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

And Panthers owner David Tepper is a total wild card who can never be counted out to do the unexpected. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

Bluebloods Valor Christian and Highlands Ranch can’t be counted out. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026

They were doubted, counted out. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026

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