noun

check

chehk

noun

An inspection to make sure something is correct, safe, or working.

"The mechanic did a quick check before we set off on the trip."

"Please do a spell check before submitting the report."

A written order instructing a bank to pay a stated sum (spelled "cheque" in British English).

"She wrote a check to cover the rent."

The bill for a meal, especially in a restaurant.

"Could we get the check, please?"

In chess, a position where the king is under direct threat of capture.

"White put Black's king in check with the bishop."

verb

To examine or verify something.

"Check the oil level before a long drive."

"I checked the address twice before mailing the letter."

To control, limit, or stop something.

"New regulations were introduced to check the spread of the disease."

In ice hockey, to use the body or stick to block or unbalance an opponent.

"He was penalized for checking from behind."

How to Use Check

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo look something over for accuracy or safety — or, as a noun, the inspection itself, a restaurant bill, or (US) a bank cheque.

UK vs US

American English spells the bank document "check"; British English spells it "cheque," though other senses (inspection, chess, restraint) are spelled "check" in both.

Common pairings

double-check check in reality check background check

Word Forms

checked past tense, checked past tense, checks plural, check plural, checked plural, checks plural, Checks plural, checks singular, check singular, checked singular, checkest singular, checkedst singular, checketh singular, checks singular

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The mechanic did a quick _____ before we set off on the trip.

Etymology

Traces back through Old French eschec to Arabic and Persian words for "king" used in chess to announce a threatened king — the same root gives us "chess" and "checkmate." The sense of "stop" or "verify" grew out of the idea of halting an opponent's move.

Rhymes for check

neck keck heck beck deck peck feck speck wreck fleck Aleck Breck

See all rhymes for check →