adj
checkered
adj
1
Patterned with a grid of alternating light and dark squares.
"The racers crossed the finish line beneath a checkered flag."
"She wore a checkered skirt to the interview."
2
Marked by ups and downs, controversy, or a mix of successes and failures.
"The politician had a checkered past full of scandals and comebacks."
How to Use Checkered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither literally patterned in squares, or figuratively full of both good and bad episodes.
Common pairings
checkered flag
checkered past
checkered history
Word Forms
more checkered comparative, most checkered superlative
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The racers crossed the finish line beneath a _____ flag.