check

CHEK/t͡ʃɛk/

Verbchecks, checking, checked

Noun pluralchecks

UK spellingcheque · for the bank payment

33 meanings of check

Practice

1
inspectverbtransitive
To look at, test or examine something to find out about it or to make sure it is correct, safe or in good condition, for example by comparing it with a reliable source.
Mechanics check every brake line before returning a car to its owner.
The inspector checked the bridge supports for signs of rust.
UsageTakes an object or a clause: check the oil, check whether it works. Inspectors check tickets (not ~~incorrect: control tickets~~).
Similarexamine, inspect, test, verify
2
inspectionnouncountable
An inspection or examination carried out to confirm something's condition or correctness.
A routine check revealed a small leak in the pipe.
Engineers run safety checks on the elevator each month.
UsageUsually do, run or carry out a check on something: a safety check.
Similarinspection, examination, test, review
3
bank paymentnounUScountable
A written order directing a bank to pay a specified sum to a named person or entity.
Grandma mailed a birthday check every year.
The company issued checks to all its suppliers.
UsageYou write a check for an amount, made out to someone; British and Canadian spelling is cheque.
Similarcheque
4
verbintransitive
To consult a person, as in check with someone, to find something out or to get their advice or permission.
Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
The reporter checked with two other officials before running the story.
UsageCheck with a person, but check a fact; the topic follows about: check with your manager about leave.
Similarconsult
5
hold backverbtransitive
To slow, limit, or stop something, or to come to a sudden stop or pause.
The central bank raised interest rates to check rising prices before they got out of hand.
Antibiotics checked the spread of the infection.
UsageOften with growth or spread as object: check rising prices; also feelings: check your anger.
Similarcurb, halt, stem, contain, restrain
Oppositeencourage, spur, accelerate
Note
It restrains feelings and speech as readily as floods. You can check your enthusiasm, and in James Joyce's Ulysses (1922) something checked the words on her tongue. Edmund Burke pairs it with retard, writing of clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
James Joyce wrote Ulysses, first published as a book in 1922. en.wikisource.org
Ulysses contains the quoted wording about words being checked on her tongue. gutenberg.org
Edmund Burke wrote the quoted wording pairing check with retard. gutenberg.org
6
nouncountable
Something that serves as a control, limit, or stop on another force or action.
Independent courts provide a check on government power.
High interest rates act as a check on borrowing.
UsageFixed phrases: keep something in check, checks and balances; usually a check on power.
Similarcontrol, limit, restraint, curb, constraint
Note
The noun also takes to. Addison writes of a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity, where the check falls on growth or advance.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
Joseph Addison wrote the quoted wording about a check to the first progress of Christianity. upload.wikimedia.org
7
send baggageverbtransitive
To hand over coats, bags, or luggage to be looked after for a time or carried, as at a cloakroom or an airline counter.
Passengers can check oversized items at the special counter.
She checked her skis through to the final destination.
UsageOften check a bag through to a destination.
8
prove trueverbintransitive
To prove accurate or to be the case after verification or interrogation.
If the totals don't check, go back through the receipts.
Her credentials checked out, so she got the job.
UsageUsually check out: her story checked out.
Note
Plain check survives in casual speech, as in "But it sure checks!", meaning that something fits what one remembers or has verified.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
The wording “But it sure checks!” is attested. en.wiktionary.org
9
verbUStransitive
To mark items on a list, with a checkmark or by crossing them out, to show they have been chosen, completed, or dealt with.
Check the box next to each topic that interests you.
He checked off each chore once it was done.
UsageCheck the box, or check off items as they are done; the opposite is uncheck.
Similartick
Oppositeuncheck
Note
This use belongs to American English, where items are checked or checked off. British English ticks them, or ticks them off.

Less common meanings

10
restaurant billnounUScountable
A statement of the amount owed for a meal, especially in a restaurant.
The waiter brought the check after dessert.
They split the check four ways.
UsagePeople ask for, pay or split the check; in many places the usual word is the bill.
Similarbill, cheque
11
tick marknounUScountable
A mark, especially a checkmark (✓), used to indicate that something is correct, chosen, or complete.
He drew a quick check beside the right answer.
The form had checks in three of the boxes.
UsagePut a check beside or next to an item, or in a box. British English uses tick.
Similarcheckmark, tick
Oppositecross
Note
American English calls this mark a check, and British English calls it a tick. Stephen King's The Mist (1980) shows the everyday use, with Norton making a neat, lawyerly check beside each item already picked up.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
Stephen King wrote The Mist. openlibrary.org
The Mist was first published in 1980. en.wikipedia.org
The story describes Norton making a neat, lawyerly check beside the items already collected. en.wiktionary.org
12
interjection
Used to confirm that a particular requirement or item has been satisfied or accounted for.
Fuel tank full? Check.
She went down the list: ID, check, boarding pass, check.
Similardone, yes
13
king in dangernouncountable or uncountable
In chess, a situation in which a player's king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
A check forces the player to respond immediately.
Her queen delivered check from across the board.
UsageA king is in check; players announce the threat with Check!
Note
A player in check must deal with the threat on the very next move, by moving the king, blocking the line or capturing the attacker.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
A player's next legal move must remove check. handbook.fide.com
Check can be answered by moving the king, interposing a piece, or capturing the attacker. en.wikipedia.org
14
asking to payinterjectionUS
Used by a diner to request the bill in order to pay, especially in a restaurant.
When the meal ended, she caught the waiter's eye and said, 'Check, please.'
'Check!' he called across the diner, reaching for his wallet.
UsageMostly Check, please.
15
verbtransitive
In chess, to make a move that places the opponent's king under direct threat.
He checked the king and forced it into the corner.
Advance the knight to check the exposed king.
Note
This verb turns the chess threat into an action. Its object can be the king itself or the player who owns it, so you check the king or check your opponent. The piece doing the threatening is introduced with with, as in checking an opponent with a pawn.
16
square patternnouncountable
A pattern of squares in alternating colors, or cloth woven with such a pattern.
His jacket had a bold blue and green check.
Traditional checks appear in many regional textile patterns.
UsageOften plural: red and white checks; the adjective is checked.
Note
Charles Mowry, writing in 1819, treats it as a material instead: "a very elegant piece of check."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
The quoted passage contains the exact words “a very elegant piece of check” and uses check for material. en.wiktionary.org
17
pass (poker)verbtransitive
In poker, to stay in the hand without betting, passing the action to the next player.
First to act, she chose to check and wait for the turn card.
He checked on the river, then called the all-in bet.
Similarpass
Oppositebet
Note
A poker player who checks stays in the hand without putting money in. This is possible only when there is no unmatched bet for that player to call. Once someone has bet more, checking is no longer an option. It can be a cautious move, as when Tom, doubting he could win, simply checked.
Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
Checking lets a player remain in the hand without adding money. pokerstars.com
The big blind can check before the flop if nobody has raised, although blind bets are already posted. Checking requires no outstanding amount to call. pokerstars.com
18
body hitnouncountable
A move in which one player blocks or knocks an opponent away to take them out of the play.
A well-timed check sent the forward sprawling.
The referee ruled the check illegal because of contact to the head.
UsageOften in body check; a player throws or delivers a check.
Similarhit, tackle
Note
The term is familiar from hockey, where a player gives a good hard check to win the puck, but it travels beyond the rink. David Hytner, reporting on Arsenal against Liverpool in 2024, has Ibrahima Konaté collecting a second yellow card for a check on Kai Havertz.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
A hockey check can be used to win possession of the puck. cdn2.sportngin.com
Attribution and year. theguardian.com
Incident. theguardian.com
19
verbtransitive
To disrupt an opposing player with your stick or body to gain possession of the ball or puck.
She checked the winger cleanly and stole the puck.
Players who check opponents too aggressively risk a penalty.
UsageThe object is the player, not the puck: check the winger.
Similartackle
Note
Within the rules it is legitimate contact, but overly aggressive checking draws a penalty.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
Checking within the rules is legitimate contact. englandicehockey.com
Overly aggressive checking is penalized. en.wikipedia.org
20
scoldverbcolloquialtransitive
To scold or sharply rebuke someone for their behavior or attitude.
If he keeps talking to you like that, you need to check him and tell him to knock it off.
When her cousin started mocking the waiter, she checked him right there at the table and told him to show some respect.
Similarscold, rebuke, reprimand, correct
Oppositepraise
21
tokennouncountable
A mark, token, or certificate used to identify a person or thing or to guard against mistakes.
The hotel porter gave me a numbered check for my suitcase, and I traded it back for the bag after lunch.
Each parcel received a numbered check to match it to its owner.
Similarmark, tag, token, ticket
Note
A token of this kind is what you receive when you hand something over, such as a check given for baggage or a return check on a railroad. It pairs naturally with handing over a coat or bag: the check is what matches the item to its owner when it is collected.
Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
A baggage check is received when baggage is handed over. transportation.gov
A railroad return check is an example of an identifying check. en.wiktionary.org
Checks connect deposited belongings with their owners when collected. transportation.gov
22
verbtransitive
To mark a surface or fabric with a pattern of squares in alternating colors.
The cafe floor was checked in red and cream, the tiles worn smooth by decades of boots.
Her grandmother's old apron, checked in faded blue and white, still hung on a hook by the stove.
23
small cracknouncountable
A small chink or crack in a surface.
A hairline check appeared in the varnish over time.
The drying timber developed several checks along its length.
Similarcrack, split, chink, fissure
24
noun
A token that stands in for money in gambling, including in gaming machines.
25
noun
A split in timber that runs along the grain and across the annual rings, often formed as the wood dries.
26
noun
A hawk's fault of abandoning the quarry it was flown at in order to chase some other bird.
27
verb
In pickup basketball, to toss the ball to a defender from beyond the arc, who throws it back so play can start.
28
verb
To loosen or let out a rope or brace that has been pulled too tight.
29
verb
Of wood, paint or varnish, to develop small splits or a network of fine cracks, as when drying.
30
verb
To cause small splits or cracks to form in something.
31
verbobsolete
To conflict or get in the way of one another.
For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes.
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Love”
32
verb
Of a hawk, to break off from chasing its intended prey and go after some other bird instead.
33
adjectiverare
Divided into a pattern of alternating colored squares, like a chessboard.
He died about 1270; and his son, Sir Robert, assisted the brave Sir William Wallace, and died in 1800. BOYD ARMS. Azure, a fesse check, argent et gules.
1825, Robert Trotter (the Younger.), Derwentwater

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of check apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 2–3, 6, 10–11, 13, 18, 21, 23

From Middle English chek, borrowed via Old French eschek from Medieval Latin scaccus, itself from Arabic شَاه (šāh, 'king or check at chess'), from Persian šāh ('king'), tracing back through Old Persian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *tek- ('to gain power over'). Most of the English senses developed from the chess sense.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 5 facts

English check comes from Middle English chek, borrowed from Old French eschek. en.wiktionary.org
The Old French word comes from Medieval Latin scaccus. en.wiktionary.org
Medieval Latin scaccus comes through Arabic šāh, meaning king or check at chess, from Persian šāh, meaning king. en.wiktionary.org
Persian šāh descends through Old Persian ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tek-, meaning to gain power over. en.wiktionary.org
Most English senses developed from the chess sense. en.wikipedia.org

Meanings 1, 4–5, 7–9, 12, 14–15, 17, 19–20

Middle English chekken drew on two sources. One was eschequier, an Old French verb, and the other was the noun "check" itself.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The English verb check comes from Middle English chekken. en.wiktionary.org
Chekken derived partly from Old French eschequier and partly from the noun check. en.wiktionary.org
Eschequier was an Old French verb. fr.wikisource.org

Meanings 16, 22

English shortened chequer to make this word. Chequer itself traces back via Old French eschequier, meaning "chessboard," and Medieval Latin scaccarium to a Persian root, the same one behind the other senses of "check."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

English check in the pattern sense is a shortening of chequer. en.wiktionary.org
Chequer derives from Old French eschequier, meaning chessboard. en.wiktionary.org
The etymological chain passes through Medieval Latin scaccarium. en.wiktionary.org
This sense ultimately shares the Persian root behind the other senses of check. en.wiktionary.org