check

CHEK/t͡ʃɛk/

Verbchecks, checking, checked

Noun pluralchecks

UK spellingcheque · for the bank payment

33 meanings of check

Practice

1
inspectverbtransitive
To look at or test something to find out about it or make sure it is right, safe or working.
Like looking over your homework before you hand it in.
Please check the tires before we leave on the trip.
She checked the oven to make sure it was off.
UsageSay check the oil or check whether it works.
Similarexamine, inspect, test, verify
2
inspectionnouncountable
A careful look at something to make sure it is right or working well.
Like a quick look in the mirror before you go out.
The nurse gave the baby a quick check.
We did a final check before locking up the store.
UsageSay do a check or a safety check.
Similarinspection, examination, test, review
3
bank paymentnounUScountable
A printed paper that tells a bank to pay money to a person.
She wrote a check for the rent.
He paid the bill with a check.
UsageSay write a check; British spelling: cheque.
Similarcheque
4
verbintransitive
To ask someone so you can find something out or get their advice or permission.
I need to check with my mom before I can come to your party.
She checked with the teacher about when the homework was due.
UsageSay check with your doctor.
Similarconsult
5
hold backverbtransitive
To slow, limit, or stop something, or to stop or pause yourself.
Like putting your foot on the brake to slow a car.
Sandbags helped check the rising flood.
She checked her anger and stayed quiet.
UsageSay check the spread of something.
Similarcurb, halt, stem, contain, restrain
Oppositeencourage, spur, accelerate
Note
6
nouncountable
Something that stops or limits how far something can go.
Like a fence that keeps animals from running too far.
The new rule acts as a check on spending.
Fences serve as a check against wandering livestock.
UsageSay keep something in check.
Similarcontrol, limit, restraint, curb, constraint
Note
7
send baggageverbtransitive
To give your coat or bags to someone who will look after them or carry them for you.
Like leaving a package at the post office so it can be sent to someone.
Travelers must check their suitcases before the flight.
He checked two bags at the airline counter.
UsageUse through to for the last stop: check a bag through to London.
8
prove trueverbintransitive
To turn out to be true or correct after being looked into.
Like a puzzle piece that fits exactly where you expected.
The two sets of numbers didn't check, so she added them up again.
His story checked out after a few phone calls.
UsageSay the story checks out.
Note
9
verbUStransitive
To put a mark next to items on a list to show you have chosen them or are done with them.
Like crossing off chores once you finish them.
Check each item on the list once you finish it.
She checked the groceries off as she put them in the cart.
UsageSay check the box.
Similartick
Oppositeuncheck
Note

Less common meanings

10
restaurant billnounUScountable
The piece of paper that shows how much you owe at a restaurant.
Can we have the check, please?
He grabbed the check before anyone else could.
UsageSay split the check; many people say the bill.
Similarbill, cheque
11
tick marknounUScountable
A small mark like ✓ used to show that something is correct or done.
She put a check next to each name on the list.
Each finished task got a check in the box.
UsageAlso called a checkmark.
Similarcheckmark, tick
Oppositecross
Note
12
interjection
Said to show that something needed has been done or is ready.
Passport? Check. Tickets? Check.
Helmet on? Check. Ready to ride.
Similardone, yes
13
king in dangernouncountable or uncountable
In chess, when a player's king is under direct attack and must be saved.
Like being cornered in tag, where you have to escape right away.
He put the white king in check with his knight.
I didn't notice that my king was in check.
UsageSay the king is in check.
Note
14
asking to payinterjectionUS
Said to ask a waiter to bring the bill so you can pay.
Check, please. We're in a bit of a hurry.
He raised his hand and called, 'Check!'
UsageSay Check, please.
15
verbtransitive
In chess, to make a move that directly attacks the other player's king.
Like trapping someone in a game so they must react.
She checked his king with her rook.
You can check the king by moving your bishop here.
Note
16
square patternnouncountable
A pattern of small squares in two or more colors, or cloth with this pattern.
Like the squares on a chessboard, but in different colors.
The tablecloth had a red and white check.
She liked the bold checks on his shirt.
UsageSay a checked shirt.
Note
17
pass (poker)verbtransitive
In a card game, to stay in the round without betting, leaving the choice to the next player.
Like skipping your turn in a game while still staying in it.
With a weak pair, he decided to check and see the next card.
He had a weak hand, so he checked and waited.
Similarpass
Oppositebet
Note
18
body hitnouncountable
A move where one player blocks or hits another to stop them from playing.
Like a player gently bumping someone to slow them down.
The defender threw a hard check at the oncoming skater.
That check knocked the puck loose.
UsageA player throws a check. It is often called a body check.
Similarhit, tackle
Note
19
verbtransitive
To use your body or stick to block another player and take the ball or puck.
Like blocking someone in a game of tag so they cannot get past.
He checked the forward hard against the boards.
Defenders try to check opponents before they reach the net.
UsageYou check a player, not the puck: check him into the boards.
Similartackle
Note
20
scoldverbcolloquialtransitive
To tell someone off firmly for doing something wrong.
Like a teacher telling a noisy student to settle down.
The coach checked the player for showing up late.
Don't be afraid to check him if he's rude.
Similarscold, rebuke, reprimand, correct
Oppositepraise
21
tokennouncountable
A mark or token used to prevent mistakes or to identify a thing or person.
Show your baggage check when you pick up your suitcase.
The clerk gave him a check so he could collect his coat later.
Similarmark, tag, token, ticket
Note
22
verbtransitive
To mark or decorate something with a pattern of colored squares.
Like coloring a grid so it looks like a checkerboard.
Her picnic blanket is checked in red and white.
The picnic blanket was checked in red and white.
23
small cracknouncountable
A small crack or split in a surface.
Like a thin crack in dry mud.
A fine check ran along the wooden beam.
As the firewood dried, small checks opened at both ends.
Similarcrack, split, chink, fissure
24
noun
A token used in place of money in gambling or gaming machines.
25
noun
A crack along the grain of wood.
26
noun
When a hawk leaves the bird it should hunt and chases another one.
27
verb
In street basketball, to give the ball to the other team and get it back to start.
28
verb
To make a tight rope or brace a little looser.
29
verb
To get small cracks, as drying wood or old paint does.
30
verb
To make small cracks in something.
31
verbobsolete
Of two things, to work against each other or get in the way.
For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes.
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Love”
32
verb
Of a hawk, to stop chasing its target and go after a different bird.
33
adjectiverare
Covered in a pattern of squares in two colors.
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

It came through Old French from a Latin word for 'check' in chess, from the Arabic and Persian word for 'king' (shah). Most English meanings grew out of the chess meaning.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

English check came through Old French from Medieval Latin scaccus, meaning check in chess. en.wiktionary.org
The Latin word derives through Arabic from Persian šāh, meaning king. en.wiktionary.org
Most English meanings developed from the chess meaning. en.wiktionary.org

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

The Middle English verb was chekken. It grew out of two things: an Old French word and the noun "check."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The English verb check comes from Middle English chekken. en.wiktionary.org
Chekken derived partly from an Old French word and partly from the noun check. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 16, 22

A shortened form of 'chequer', from an Old French word for 'chessboard', going back to the same Persian root as the chess sense.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Check in the pattern sense is a shortened form of chequer. en.wiktionary.org
Chequer derives from an Old French word meaning chessboard. en.wiktionary.org
The pattern sense ultimately shares the Persian root of the chess sense. en.wiktionary.org