check out

British  

verb

1. (intr) to pay the bill and depart, esp from a hotel

2. (intr) to depart from a place; record one's departure from work

3. to investigate or prove to be in order after investigation

   the police checked out all the statements

   their credentials checked out

4. informal (tr) to have a look at; inspect

   check out the wally in the pink shirt

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noun

1. 1. the latest time for vacating a room in a hotel, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      checkout time

2. a counter, esp in a supermarket, where customers pay

check out Idioms  

1. Record one's departure from a hotel by paying the bill, or from a conference or other function, as in As soon as my bags are packed I'll check out of the motel . [Early 1900s]

2. Leave hurriedly, make a quick exit, as in The minute I get paid I'm checking out . [ Slang ; 1920s]

3. Die, as in When he got cholera, he was sure he'd check out . [ Slang ; 1920s]

4. Withdraw an item after recording the withdrawal, as in I'll check out the tapes on your library card . [1930s]

5. Record, total the prices, and receive payment for a purchase, as in The cashier checked out and bagged my groceries in record time .

6. . Investigate or evaluate something or someone; observe carefully. For example, I don't know if you'll like the film; check it out yourself , or That man who's staring is probably just checking us out . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

7. Pass close inspection, as in That rattle made me suspicious, but the repairman said the machine checked out completely .

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

check out

If you’re a 30 Rock fan looking for a similar show to enjoy, check out this ranked list of 14 spiritual successors that my colleagues and I put together.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

But y’all should go check out Art of Play in Brooklyn if you enjoy being treated like Julia Roberts character in Pretty Woman.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

Josh Allen is elite, but the Bills aren’t impervious to problems — check out the Chargers game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

On top of those savings, I’ll get a lineup of extras at check in, including daily breakfast for two, a $100 resort credit and early check in/late check out if available.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Fadi wanted to stop, to check out the intricately laid-out tracks, the towns, bridges, and water tower, but Zalmay had a set destination in mind.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

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Related Words

• inspect
• investigate

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