Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense checks, present participle checking, past tense, past participle checked
1. verb
If you check something such as a piece of information or a document, you make sure that it is correct or satisfactory.
Check the accuracy of everything in your CV. [VERB noun]
It's worth checking each item for obvious flaws. [VERB noun]
I think there is an age limit, but I'd have to check. [VERB]
She hadn't checked whether she had a clean ironed shirt. [VERB wh]
He checked that he had his room key. [VERB that]
I shall need to check with the duty officer. [VERB + with]
Synonyms: examine, test, study, look at More Synonyms of check
Check is also a noun.
He is being constantly monitored with regular checks on his blood pressure. [+ on]
...a security check.
2. See also cross-check
3. verb
If you check on someone or something, you make sure they are in a safe or satisfactory condition.
Stephen checked on her several times during the night. [VERBon noun]
He decided to check on things at the warehouse. [VERB + on]
4. verb
If you check something that is written on a piece of paper, you put a mark, like a V with the right side extended, next to it to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with.
[US]
Check the box at the top of the form indicating that it is the correct version. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, usually use tick
5. verb
To check something, usually something bad, means to stop it from spreading or continuing.
Sex education is also expected to help check the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. [VERB noun]
...free press that will check corruption by ensuring total transparency in government. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: stop, control, limit, arrest More Synonyms of check
6. verb
If you checkyourself or if something checks you, you suddenly stop what you are doing or saying.
He was about to lose his temper but checked himself in time. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
I held up one finger to check him. [VERB noun]
7. verb
When you check your luggage at an airport, you give it to an official so that it can be taken on to your plane.
We arrived at the airport, checked our baggage and wandered around the gift shops. [VERB noun]
You can check your baggage right through to its final destination. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
To check in your luggage means the same as to check it.
They checked in their luggage and found seats in the departure lounge. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
8. countable noun
The check in a restaurant is a piece of paper on which the price of your meal is written andwhich you are given before you pay.
[mainly US]regional note: in BRIT, use bill
9. convention
In a game of chess, you say check when you are attacking your opponent's king.
10. countable noun [oft NOUN noun]
A pattern of squares, usually of two colours, can be referred to as checks or a check.
Styles include stripes and checks.
...a red and white check dress.
11.
See to hold something in check
12.
A check is the same as a cheque.
[US]
13. See also double-check, rain check, spot check
Phrasal verbs:
See check in
See check off
See check out
See check up
More Synonyms of check
check in British English
(tʃɛk)
verb
1.
to pause or cause to pause, esp abruptly
2. (transitive)
to restrain or control
to check one's tears
3. (transitive)
to slow the growth or progress of; retard
4. (transitive)
to rebuke or rebuff
5. (whenintr, 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
6. (transitive) mainly US and Canadian
to mark off so as to indicate approval, correctness, or preference
Usual Brit word: tick
7. (intransitive; often foll bywith) mainly US and Canadian
to correspond or agree
this report checks with the other
8. (transitive) mainly US, Canadian and New Zealand
to leave in or accept (clothing or property) for temporary custody
9. chess
to place (an opponent's king) in check
10. (transitive)
to mark with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
11.
to crack or cause to crack
12. agriculture short for checkrow
13. (transitive) ice hockey
to impede (an opponent)
14. (intransitive) hunting
(of hounds) to pause in the pursuit of quarry while relocating a lost scent
15. (intransitive; foll byat) falconry
to change from one quarry to another while in flight
16. (intransitive)
to decline the option of opening the betting in a round of poker
17. check the helm
noun
18.
a break in progress; stoppage
19.
a restraint or rebuff
20.
a.
a person or thing that restrains, halts, etc
b.
(as modifier)
a check line
21.
a.
a control, esp a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc
b.
(as modifier)
a check list
22.
a means or standard to ensure against fraud or error
23. the US word for tick1
24. the US spelling of cheque
25. mainly US
the bill in a restaurant
26. mainly US and Canadian
a ticket or tag used to identify clothing or property deposited for custody
27.
a pattern of squares or crossed lines
28.
a single square in such a pattern
29.
a.
fabric with a pattern of squares or crossed lines
b.
(as modifier)
a check suit
30. chess
the state or position of a king under direct attack, from which it must be moved or protected by another piece
31.
a small crack, as one in veneer or one that occurs in timber during seasoning
32.
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
33.
a chip or counter used in some card and gambling games
34. hunting
a pause by the hounds in the pursuit of their quarry owing to loss of its scent
35. angling
a ratchet fitted to a fishing reel to check the free running of the line
36. ice hockey
the act of impeding an opponent with one's body or stick
37. in check
exclamation
38. chess
a call made to an opponent indicating that his or her king is in check
39. mainly US and Canadian
an expression of agreement
Derived forms
checkable (ˈcheckable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French eschec a check at chess, hence, a pause (to verify something), via Arabic from Persian shāh the king! (in chess)
check in American English
(tʃɛk)
noun
1.
a sudden stop; abrupt halt
2.
any restraint or control put upon action
3.
a person or thing that restrains or controls
4.
a supervision of accuracy, efficiency, etc.
5.
a.
a test, comparison, examination, etc. to determine if something is as it should be
b.
a standard or sample used in making such a determination
6.
a mark (✓) to show approval or verification of something, or to call attention to it
7. US
an identification ticket or other token enabling one to claim an item left in a checkroom, etc.
a hat check
8. US
one's bill at a restaurant or bar
9. US, Rare
a gambling chip
10.
a written order to a bank to pay the stated amount of money from one's account
11.
a.
a pattern of small squares like that of a chessboard
b.
one of these squares
12.
a fabric with such a pattern
13.
a small split, crack, or chink
14. Obsolete
a rebuke; reprimand
15. Chess
the condition of a king that is in danger of capture on the opponent's next move: when in such a condition, one's king must, if possible,be protected
16. Hockey
a blocking or bumping of an opponent
interjection US
17. Informal
agreed; I understand; right; OK
18. Chess
used to signify that one's opponent's king is in check
verb transitive
19.
to cause to stop suddenly; halt abruptly
20.
to hold back; restrain; control
21.
to rebuff, repulse, or rebuke
22.
to test, measure, verify, or control by investigation, comparison, or examination
check the accounts
23.
to mark with a check (✓)
24.
to mark with a pattern of squares
25. US
to deposit or receive for deposit temporarily, as in a checkroom
26. US
to get (esp. luggage) cleared for shipment
27.
to make chinks or cracks in
28. US, Agriculture
to plant in checkrows
29. Chess
to place (an opponent's king) in check
30. Hockey
to block or bump (an opponent)
31. Nautical
to reduce the strain on (a line) by letting it out gradually
verb intransitive
32. US
to agree with one another, item for item
the accounts check
33. US
to investigate in order to determine the condition, validity, etc. of something
often with on
34. US
to draw a check on a bank account
35.
to crack in small checks
cheap paint may check
36.
to stop or halt; specif., to pause, as a hunting dog, to pick up the scent
37. Falconry
to turn from the pursuit of one prey to follow a lesser one (with at)
38. US, Poker
to decline one's chance to open a round of betting
adjective
39.
used to check or verify
a check experiment
40.
having a crisscross pattern; checked
SIMILAR WORDS: reˈstrain
Idioms:
check in
check off
check out
check up on
in check
Word origin
ME chek < OFr eschec, eschac, a check at chess, repulse < ML scaccus, scahus < Pers šāh, king, principal piece in a game of chess (see shah1); prob. sense development: king in danger — hostile action — restraining action —means of restraint or control
check in Hospitality1
(tʃɛk) or bill
Word forms: (regular plural) checks
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Restaurant, paying the check)
The check in a restaurant is a piece of paper on which the price of your meal is written andwhich you are given before you pay.
Do you want coffee or do you want the check right away?
When the time came to pay for the meal, she asked for the check.
The waiter will not bring the check until you tell him you want to pay.
add to the check, ask for the check, bring the check, pay the check, sign a check
check in Hospitality2
(tʃɛk) or cheque
Word forms: (regular plural) checks
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Restaurant, paying the check)
A check is a printed form on which you write an amount of money and who it is to be paidto. Your bank then pays the money to that person from your account.
Does the hotel accept checks?
You can also pay for bookings by card, cash, or check.
All checks should be made payable to the hotel.
check in Retail
(tʃɛk) or cheque
Word forms: (regular plural) checks
noun
(Retail: Customer accounts)
A check is a printed form from a bank that you write on and use to pay for things, your bankthen paying the money from your account.
He paid me with a check for $1,500.
The card will guarantee checks up to $500.
A check is a printed form from a bank that you write on and use to pay for things, your bankthen paying the money from your account.
check guarantee, check verification
check in Accounting1
(tʃɛk)
Word forms: (present) checks, (past) checked, (perfect) checked, (progressive) checking
verb
(Accounting: Basic)
If you check something, you make sure that it is correct.
You should keep a record of what you spend and check it against bank statements.
Check the accuracy of all the figures in the profit and loss account.
If you check something, you make sure that it is correct.
check in Accounting2
(tʃɛk)
Word forms: (regular plural) checks
noun
(Accounting: Commerce)
A check is a printed form from a bank that you write on and use to pay for things. Your bankthen pays the money from your account.
He paid me with a check for $1,500.
The funds allow shareholders to redeem shares by writing checks above $500 on the fund's account at a commercial bank.
A check is a printed form from a bank that you write on and use to pay for things. Your bankthen pays the money from your account.
check register, check stub
More idioms containing
check
take a rain check
COBUILD Collocations
check
affordability check
border checks
Examples of 'check' in a sentence
check
Simply remove the poloneck from under the check one and you have a great summer dress.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It could be worth checking an old lottery ticket.
The Sun (2017)
Always double check the email address or phone number the sender has used.
The Sun (2017)
Traders are under an obligation to make reasonable checks about the information they provide.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You checked online to see how to make a cup of tea?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Remember also to check that your pet insurance covers the trip.
The Sun (2016)
But critics say many looked far older than 18 and called for tougher checks.
The Sun (2016)
The only drawback is that not all airlines will accept it as hand luggage, so check with your carrier before you leave for the airport.
The Sun (2016)
We will be conducting checks and controls to bring them to heel.
The Sun (2008)
Credit checking is therefore one factor we can use to slow the growth of debt.
Harrison, John Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (1989)
Many have been on handouts for years without being checked to see if they are fit.
The Sun (2006)
Check that any pattern or motifs are printed straight across the fabric.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Your bank can also make a credit check.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
It took me two hours to check in.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You should also check whether you are affected by chemicals in treatments such asbleaching agents.
The Sun (2010)
We advise you call to check prior to visiting.
The Sun (2014)
We plan to revisit them in the coming months to check on their progress.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These include checking descriptions of homes put on the website.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Only then is it worth checking other scores.
The Sun (2011)
Should this illustration be checked for accuracy?
Christianity Today (2000)
You can check property prices and your bank balance more easily.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The officials came into the dressing rooms before the game to check passports.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
One of the inspectors stood by the sliding door while the other checked tickets.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
Owners of shops and restaurants could check on the businesses they closed weeks earlier.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Always check that the insurance excess is reasonable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What is the earliest time that we could check in our luggage?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They admit this could be a problem with my new meter and say somebody will check this.
The Sun (2012)
When my daughter arrived at the airport she checked in automatically.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Ensure that you check when booking that the performance is suitable for all members of your party.
The Sun (2013)
Who will pay to check up on doctors?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Check today 's numbers against those on your card.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
check
British English: check /tʃɛk/ NOUN
A check is a control, especially a rapid or informal one, designed to ensure accuracy, progress, etc.
He is being constantly monitored with regular checks on his blood pressure.
American English: check control
Arabic: فَحْص
Brazilian Portuguese: verificação
Chinese: 检查
Croatian: provjera
Czech: ověření
Danish: tjek
Dutch: controle
European Spanish: control vigilancia
Finnish: tarkistus
French: vérification
German: Kontrolle
Greek: έλεγχος
Italian: controllo
Japanese: 照合
Korean: 확인
Norwegian: sjekk
Polish: kontrola
European Portuguese: verificação
Romanian: verificare
Russian: проверка
Latin American Spanish: control
Swedish: kontroll
Thai: การตรวจ
Turkish: denetleme
Ukrainian: перевірка
Vietnamese: sự kiểm tra
British English: check /tʃɛk/ VERB
If you check something such as a piece of information or a document, you make sure that it is correct or satisfactory.
Check the accuracy of everything in your CV.
I shall need to check with the duty officer.
American English: check ensure that correct
Arabic: يَفْحَصُ
Brazilian Portuguese: verificar
Chinese: 检查
Croatian: provjeriti
Czech: zkontrolovat
Danish: tjekke
Dutch: controleren
European Spanish: comprobar vigilar
Finnish: tarkistaa
French: vérifier
German: prüfen
Greek: ελέγχω
Italian: controllare
Japanese: 調べる
Korean: ...을 점검하다
Norwegian: sjekke
Polish: sprawdzić
European Portuguese: verificar
Romanian: a verifica
Russian: проверять
Latin American Spanish: controlar
Swedish: kontrollera
Thai: ตรวจ
Turkish: denetlemek kontrol
Ukrainian: перевіряти
Vietnamese: kiểm tra
All related terms of 'check'
cheque
A cheque is a printed form on which you write an amount of money and who it is to be paid to. Your bank then pays the money to that person from your account.
bad check
A bad check is a check that will not be paid because there is a mistake on it, or because there is not enough money in the account of the person who wrote the check.
check in
When you check in or check into a hotel or clinic , or if someone checks you in , you arrive and go through the necessary procedures before you stay there.
check off
When you check things off , you check or count them while referring to a list of them, to make sure you have considered all of them.
check out
When you check out of a hotel or clinic where you have been staying , or if someone checks you out , you pay the bill and leave.
check up
If you check up on something, you find out information about it.
gut check
a pause to assess the state, progress , or condition of something such as an enterprise or institution
in check
under control or restraint
bank check
A bank check is a check that you can buy from a bank in order to pay someone who is not willing to accept a personal check.
blank check
a check form that has not been filled in
body check
the fair block of an opponent who has the puck by bumping with the body, shoulder to hip , from the front or side
check digit
a digit derived from and appended to a string of data digits, used to detect corruption of the data string during transmission or transcription
check list
a list of items, facts, names, etc, to be checked or referred to for comparison , identification , or verification
check mark
A check mark is a written mark like a V with the right side extended . It is used to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with.
check stub
A check stub is the part of a check that is kept by the payee with information such as the check number, date , and amount.
check valve
a valve that closes by fluid pressure to prevent return flow
coat check
The coat check at a public building such as a theater or club is the place where customers can leave their coats, usually for a small fee .
cross-check
If you cross-check information , you check that it is correct using a different method or source from the one originally used to obtain it.
price check
A price check is an investigation of the prices charged by different retailers for the same goods to find the best value.
rain check
If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion , you mean that you do not want to accept it now , but you might accept it at another time.
side check
a checkrein passing back to the saddle from the side of a horse's head
sound check
an on-the-spot rehearsal by a band before a gig to enable the sound engineer to set up the mixer
speed check
a method of checking the speed at which vehicles are travelling , used by police
spell check
the act or an instance of using a → spell-checker
spot check
If someone carries out a spot check , they examine one thing from a group in order to make sure that it is satisfactory .
time check
(in racing sports, such as motor racing, cycling , etc) an instance of checking the time taken to cover a specific distance . Time checks occur at prearranged points in a race
baggage check
a receipt for baggage left in a checkroom
check details
The details of something are its individual features or elements.
counter check
a check available at a bank for the use of depositors in making withdrawals , orig. kept in supply on a counter
credit check
a check performed by a company selling goods on credit to establish if a potential customer is creditworthy
double-check
If you double-check something, you examine or test it a second time to make sure that it is completely correct or safe .
health check
a medical checkup
parity check
a check made of computer data to ensure that the total number of bits of value 1 (or 0) in each unit of information remains odd or even after transfer between a peripheral device and the memory or vice versa
reality check
If you say that something is a reality check for someone, you mean that it makes them recognize the truth about a situation , especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve .
rubber check
a check that is worthless because of insufficient funds in the drawer's account
weather check
if you get a weather check you find out what the weather is like
welfare check
a social security payment
cashier's check
A cashier's check is one which a cashier signs and which is drawn on a bank's own funds.
certified check
a check for which a bank has guaranteed payment , certifying there is enough money on deposit to cover the check
check a fact
Facts are pieces of information that can be discovered .
check guarantee
A check guarantee is any method, usually via a plastic card, that guarantees that a payment made by check will be honored by the account holder ’s bank .
check register
A check register is a record of transactions in a checking account .
check up on
to examine the record, character, etc. of; investigate
perpetual check
a consecutive series of checks that the checked player cannot avoid , leading to a drawn game
security check
the process of checking that a person is not armed, or carrying something dangerous
sign a check
When you sign a check , you write your name on it in a special space in order to validate it.
background check
an investigation into a person's origins and previous history
check-in queue
A queue is a line of people or vehicles that are waiting for something.
check-in time
The check-in time at a hotel is the time from which guests are expected to arrive .