double check

¹ American  

noun

Chess.

1. a simultaneous check by two pieces in which the moving of one piece to give check also results in discovering a check by another piece.

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double-check ² American  

[duhb-uhl-chek] / ˈdʌb əlˈtʃɛk /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to check twice or again; recheck.

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noun

1. a second examination or verification to assure accuracy, proper functioning, or the like.

double-check British  

verb

1. to check twice or again; verify

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noun

1. a second examination or verification

2. chess a simultaneous check from two pieces brought about by moving one piece to give check and thereby revealing a second check from another piece

Etymology

Origin of double-check

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Moreover, workers may also have outsize expectations around AI’s automation capabilities, with many of the current tools still requiring workers to double check the completed work for errors.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

If in doubt, call your insurance company to double check.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

Last year one of its accounts posted a video inside the REI Soho bathroom to double check it was still open and provided free menstrual products to visitors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

If you've recently stocked up on cold and flu medicine, you may want to double check what brand you've purchased — especially if you're a Costco shopper.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2025

As they both insisted on talking at once, it was some time before either was intelligible; at length Ashburner made out that the excursion had met with a double check.

From The International Monthly, Volume 2, No. 4, March, 1851 by Various

Related Words

• affirm
• approve
• back
• certify
• corroborate
• endorse
• establish
• explain
• sign
• substantiate
• support
• uphold
• verify