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

He said while the ONS had "done the right thing" to halt publication to double check the data rather than "sweeping the problem under the carpet", the "mistakes are piling up".

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025

As a double check I called several newspaper editors the other day and asked, "Why don't you print more UFO stories?"

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.

Related Words

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