checkered

American  

[chek-erd] / ˈtʃɛk ərd /

adjective

1. marked by numerous and various shifts or changes; variegated.

   a checkered career.

   Synonyms:

   seesaw, irregular, uneven, varied

2. marked by dubious episodes; suspect in character or quality.

   a checkered past.

3. marked with squares.

   a checkered fabric.

4. diversified in color; alternately light and shadowed.

   the checkered shade beneath trees.

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Other Word Forms

• uncheckered adjective

Etymology

Origin of checkered

1350–1400; Middle English. See checker ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Theme parks have long had a checkered reputation when it comes to dining.

From Los Angeles Times

Although she wanted to keep her kitchen neutral, she added a pop of color with red-and-white checkered floors and a blue oven.

From MarketWatch

But by the time they took the last checkered flag of the year, on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, it was Norris who had done just enough.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Well,” Verstappen said after taking the checkered flag, “it’s all possible now.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He was a small, wiry fellow in a long checkered coat.

From Literature