I reckon
I think, I guess, or I suppose.
Also called reckon.
Updated September 24, 2026
I reckon pronunciation
/ah REK-un/
Meaning
Soft opinion talk. Softer than "I know," closer to "I figure." Sometimes it is a polite yes: "I reckon so." Sometimes it is hedging before you commit. Southern and Appalachian mouths live on it for everyday guesswork.
How folks use it
- “I reckon it'll rain before supper.”
- “You coming to the fish fry? I reckon so.”
Origin and etymology
From Old English reckon words meaning to count or give an account. The "I reckon" opinion sense shows up in English by about 1600 and was once literary. Later it got tagged as Southern and rural, where folks never dropped it.
Frequently asked questions
Is I reckon the same as I guess?
Mostly. It can also mean I believe or I figure, depending on how you say it.