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check

¹

[ chek ]

/ tʃɛk /

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See synonyms for: check / checked / checking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to stop or arrest the motion of suddenly or forcibly: He checked the horse at the edge of the cliff.

to restrain; hold in restraint or control: They built a high wall to check the tides.

to cause a reduction, such as in rate or intensity; diminish: The new measures checked the rapidity with which the epidemic was spreading.

to investigate or verify as to correctness: She checked the copy against the original.

to make an inquiry into, search through, etc.: We checked the files, but the letter was missing.

to inspect or test the performance, condition, safety, etc., of (something): Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.

to mark (something) so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc. (often followed by off): Please check the correct answer. They checked off the names of people they wanted to invite.

to leave in temporary custody: Check your umbrellas at the door.

to accept for temporary custody: We accept responsibility for any article we check here.

to send (baggage) on a passenger's ticket, usually on the same carrier used by the passenger, for pickup at the destination: We checked two trunks through to Portland.

to accept (baggage) for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket: Check this trunk to Portland.

to mark with or in a pattern of squares: to check fabric.

Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.

Chess. to place (an opponent's king) under direct attack.

Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent).Compare back-check, fore-check.

Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on (a swing of the bat) just after the swing has been started: The umpire is saying Cruz did check his swing, so that’ll be ball three.See also checked swing.

Baseball. (of a pitcher) to turn and look at (a base runner) to inhibit the runner from leading: Lopez checks the runner on second, looks back at Hamilton, and fires another sidearm pitch.

verb (used without object)

to prove to be right; correspond accurately: The reprint checks with the original, item for item.

to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., such as for verification (often followed by up, into, etc.): He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.

to make a sudden stop; pause: The horse checked before he jumped.

Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.

Baseball. (of a batter) to hold back on a swing of the bat just after the swing has been started: From our perspective, it’s hard to tell whether he checked or not.See also checked swing.

to crack or split, usually in small checks: Painted surfaces may check with age.

Poker. to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.

Hunting. (of hounds) to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.

Falconry. (of a hawk) to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game (followed by at).

noun, plural checks or, for 43, chex.

Also British, cheque .Banking. a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.

a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.

a ticket or token that when matched with a counterpart identifies an article left in the temporary custody of another, the purchaser of a ticket, a person who is to be served next, etc.

a criterion, standard, or means to insure against error, fraud, etc.: This handmade sample is a check that the machine-made samples have to match.

an inquiry, search, or examination: We made a quick check but found nothing missing.

Also called check mark . a mark, often indicated by (✓), as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.

a person or thing that stops, limits, slows, or restrains: The increase of duty was an effective check on imports. He was a check on her enthusiasm.

a sudden arrest or stoppage: Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.

a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error: They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.

a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.

one of the squares in such a pattern.

a fabric having a check pattern.

Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack: The king was in check.

Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.Compare board check, body check, cross-check (def. 5), hook check, poke check, sweep check.

a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.

a small crack: There were several checks in the paint.

an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.

Masonry. a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.

Hunting.

the losing of the scent by a dog or pack.
(in fox hunting) a period in a hunt, following the losing of the scent by the hounds, during which the field rests quietly while the hounds cast to regain the scent.

adjective

serving to check, control, verify, etc.: a check system.

ornamented with a pattern of squares; checkered: a check border.

interjection

Chess. (used as a call to warn one's opponent that their king is exposed to direct attack, having just one move in which to escape or parry.)

Informal. all right! agreed!

Verb Phrases

check in, to register, as at a hotel; indicate one's arrival or presence at a place, function, etc., usually by signing an appropriate form: We checked in at the reception desk.

check on / up on to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect: Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.

check out,

to vacate and pay for one's quarters at a hotel.
to verify or become verified; examine or investigate.
to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test: The engine checked out and we proceeded on our way.
to itemize, total the cost of, and collect payment for (a purchase): The supermarket cashier was exhausted from checking out groceries all day long.
to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise.
to borrow (an item) by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility: The adding machine was checked out in your name.
Informal. to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.
Slang. to die.

check over, to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.

OTHER WORDS FOR check

2 impede, hinder, hamper, obstruct, block; bridle, hobble; baffle, balk, bottleneck, clog, stem; detain.

18 agree.

28 receipt, tab, counterfoil.

29 coupon, stub.

33 obstacle, obstruction, hindrance, restriction, restraint, impediment, deterrent; bar, barrier; curb, bridle, rein.

See synonyms for check on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR check

See antonyms for check on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR CHECK

The Word "Check" Has A Very Regal Origin

Asking for checks and filling out forms with checkmarks is boring, so it’s easy to forget that "check" was a word that originated from a game of knights, kings, and queens; basically the stuff Game of Thrones is made of.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about check

check the helm, Nautical. to alter the helm of a turning vessel to keep the bow from swinging too far or too rapidly.

in check, under restraint: He held his anger in check.

Origin of check

¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English chek, chekke (in the game of chess), from Old French eschec (by loss of the initial unstressed vowel), variant of eschac, from Arabic shāh “check” (in the game of chess), from Persian: literally, “king” (an exclamation: i.e., “look out, your king is threatened”); see shah

synonym study for check

1. See stop. 2. Check, curb, repress, restrain refer to putting a control on movement, progress, action, etc. Check implies arresting suddenly, halting or causing to halt: to check a movement toward reform. Curb implies the use of a means such as a chain, strap, frame, wall, etc., to guide or control or to force to stay within definite limits: to curb a horse. Repress, formerly meaning to suppress, now implies preventing the action or development that might naturally be expected: to repress evidence of excitement. Restrain implies the use of force to put under control, or chiefly, to hold back: to restrain a person from violent acts.

OTHER WORDS FROM check

check·less, adjective

Words nearby check

Chechen, Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Republic, Chechen Republic, chéchia, Chechnya, check, checkable, checkback, check bit, checkbook, checkbook journalism

Other definitions for check (2 of 2)

check²

[ chek ]

/ tʃɛk /

noun South Midland and Southern U.S.

Often checks . the game of checkers.

any of the playing pieces used in this game.

Origin of check

²

By shortening

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use check in a sentence

Same coaches and same teammates, but practices were off campus and often took at least some precautions, like distancing and temperature checks.
School Sports Became ‘Clubs’ Amid the Pandemic – Now Two Coaches Are Out|Ashly McGlone|September 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego
It will be writing checks ranging between roughly half a million and $3 million dollars, and it is only planning to raise $40 million — so the checks will be selective.
With Goat Capital, Justin Kan and Robin Chan want to keep founding alongside the right teams|Eric Eldon|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
To do so, check your local government website for OHV laws and regulations or head over to the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, which has tons of resources like basic off-road driver courses and tips for minimizing your impact.
Three Family-Friendly Adventures to Try This Fall|Outside Editors|September 17, 2020|Outside Online
Votes aren’t just little sheets of paper with boxes you check with a crayon.
William Barr is the poster child for politicized law enforcement officials|Philip Bump|September 17, 2020|Washington Post

Ballot designs and rules vary by state, but check that you’ve signed everywhere and sealed all the envelopes as instructed.
ProPublica’s Pandemic Guide to Making Sure Your Vote Counts|by Susie Armitage|September 16, 2020|ProPublica
In this cockamamie get-rich scheme, would they all issue an apology if he cut a check?
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We try to avoid going away for too long, so we can check back in.
Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She came to sound check, that was the first time we ever performed it, and it was really cool.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To judge her acting abilities for yourself, check out her videos on YouTube for “Sex Shooter.”
Speed Read: The Juiciest Bits From the History of ‘Purple Rain’|Jennie Yabroff|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
While the desk sergeant ran a background check, he was roughed up by another officer in the lock-up.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Very well," said the other, handing him a check for twenty-five dollars as a retainer, and straightway left the office.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
The new Government to preserve public order and check all reprisals against the Spaniards.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
But in the organization in which we live over-production tends to check itself at once.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Am I to check the number of rounds in the limbers; on the beaches and in transit during a battle?
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Scarcely were they bandaged when the news arrived that Augereau's division had received a severe check.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for check

check

/ (tʃɛk) /

verb

to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly

(tr) to restrain or controlto check one's tears

(tr) to slow the growth or progress of; retard

(tr) to rebuke or rebuff

(when intr, often foll by on or up on) to examine, investigate, or make an inquiry into (facts, a product, etc) for accuracy, quality, or progress, esp rapidly or informally

(tr) mainly US and Canadian to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preferenceUsual Brit word: tick

(intr often foll by with) mainly US and Canadian to correspond or agreethis report checks with the other

(tr) mainly US, Canadian and NZ to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody

chess to place (an opponent's king) in check

(tr) to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines

to crack or cause to crack

agriculture short for checkrow

(tr) ice hockey to impede (an opponent)

(intr) hunting (of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent

(intr foll by at) falconry to change from one quarry to another while in flight

(intr) to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker

check the helm nautical to swing back the helm of a vessel to prevent it from turning too quickly or too far

noun

a break in progress; stoppage

a restraint or rebuff

a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
(as modifier)a check line

a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
(as modifier)a check list

a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error

the US word for tick 1

the US spelling of cheque

mainly US the bill in a restaurant

mainly US and Canadian a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody

a pattern of squares or crossed lines

a single square in such a pattern

fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
(as modifier)a check suit

chess the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece

a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning

part of the action of a piano that arrests the backward motion of a hammer after it has struck a string and holds it until the key is released

a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games

hunting a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent

angling a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line

ice hockey the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick

in check under control or restraint

interjection

chess a call made to an opponent indicating that his king is in check

mainly US and Canadian an expression of agreement

See also check in, check off, check out, checkup

Derived forms of check

checkable, adjective

Word Origin for check

C14: from Old French eschec a check at chess, hence, a pause (to verify something), via Arabic from Persian shāh the king! (in chess)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with check

check

In addition to the idioms beginning with check

check in
check into
check off
check on
check out
check over
checks and balances
check up

also see:

blank check
claim check
in check
pick up (the check)
rain check
reality check
rubber check

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.