verb

count

To rely on someone or something with confidence.

We count on our neighbors to check the house while away.

Etymology

Latin computare meant to reckon or calculate. Counting on someone includes that person's help in one’s reckoning, extending numerical calculation to confident expectation.

More examples

  • You can count on me to arrive early.
  • She had counted on receiving the package today.
  • They are counting on good weather for the event.

Forms

count · counts · counted · counting

Similar words

rely
More directly states dependence or confidence.
bank on
An informal expression of confident reliance.