[transitive]to examine something to see if it is correct, safe or acceptable
check somethingShe gave me the minutes of the meeting to read and check.
Check the oil and water before setting off.
Check your work before handing it in.
Customs officers have the right to check all luggage going through customs.
The cars were checked to see whether the faults had been spotted.
check something for somethingCheck the container for cracks or leaks.
Be sure to check labels for specific information.
check something against somethingI'll need to check these figures against last year's.
Synonyms checkcheck
examine
inspect
go over something
These words all mean to look closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, or acceptable.
checkto look at something closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, safe or acceptable:
Check your work before handing it in.
examineto look at somebody/something closely to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem:
The goods were examined for damage on arrival.
inspectto look at somebody/something closely to make sure that everything is acceptable; to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable:
Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them.
The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year.
check, examine or inspect?All these words can be used when you are looking for possible problems, but of these three words only check is used for mistakes: Examine/Inspect your work before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem: The doctor checked/inspected her but could find nothing wrong.Examine is used more often about a professional person: The surveyor examined the walls for signs of damp.Inspect is used more often about an official: Public health officials were called in to inspect the restaurant.
go over somethingto check something carefully for mistakes, damage or anything dangerous:
Go over your work for spelling mistakes before you hand it in.
Patterns
to check/examine/inspect/go over (something) for something
to check/examine/inspect/go over something to see if/whether…
to check/examine/inspect/go over something carefully/thoroughly
Extra Examples
Check the engine oil level regularly.
Check the roof for loose slates.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
always
daily
periodically
…
verb + check
had better
must
need to
…
preposition
against
for
with
…
phrases
be worth checking
check to see if
check to see whether
…
See full entry
make sure
[intransitive, transitive]to look at something or ask somebody to find out if something/somebody is present, correct or true or if something is how you think it is
We'll check back in a couple of hours.
We were interrupted by a waiter checking to see if everything was OK.
‘Is Mary in the office?’ ‘Just a moment. I'll go and check.’
check somethingHang on—I just need to check my email.
She's constantly checking her phone—it drives me mad.
check something for somethingCheck our website for details.
check (that)…Go and check (that) I’ve locked the windows.
check with somebodyCheck with your doctor before beginning any exercise programme.
check what/whether, etc….She glance around to check whether anyone was watching.
check with somebody what/whether, etc…You'd better check with Jane what time she's expecting us tonight.
check something against somethingThe data is then checked against a database of criminals.
see alsocross-check,double-check
Extra Examples
Always check that the electricity is switched off before you start.
He was just checking to see if I was in my room.
I checked with her to see if she needed any help.
It's worth checking that there is no rust on the car.
We had better check that all the doors are locked.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
always
daily
periodically
…
verb + check
had better
must
need to
…
preposition
against
for
with
…
phrases
be worth checking
check to see if
check to see whether
…
See full entry
make mark
[transitive]check something(especially North American English)
(British English usuallytick)
to put a mark (✓) next to an item on a list, an answer, etc.
Check the box next to the right answer.
To take advantage of this extra bonus offer, simply check the box on your order form.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
simply
mentally
off
…
See full entry
control
[transitive]check somethingto control something; to stop something from increasing or getting worse
The government is determined to check the growth of public spending.
She tied some strips of cloth around the wound to check the bleeding.
The active ingredient checks the growth of bacteria.
[transitive]to stop yourself from saying or doing something or from showing a particular emotion
check somethingto check your anger/laughter/tears
She made no effort to check her tears and just let them run down her face.
check yourselfShe wanted to tell him the whole truth but she checked herself—it wasn't the right moment.
coats/bags/cases
[transitive]check something(North American English)to leave coats, bags, etc. in an official place (called a checkroom) while you are visiting a club, restaurant, etc.
Do you want to check your coats?
[transitive]check something(North American English)
(also check something inBritish English, North American English)
to leave bags or cases with an official so that they can be put on a plane or train
How many bags are you checking?
Word Originverb Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec, from medieval Latin scaccus, via Arabic from Persian šāh ‘king’; the verb from Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’. The sense ‘stop or control’ arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to ‘examine the accuracy of’.
check
noun
/tʃek/
/tʃek/
Idioms
jump to other results
examination
[countable]an act of making sure that something is safe, correct or in good condition by examining it
Could you give the tyres a check?
I went for a health check before going on the trip.
The drugs were found in their car during a routine check by police.
I'll just have a quick check to see if the letter's arrived yet.
check of somethingShe had a thorough check of the room, but nothing had been taken.
check for somethinga check for spelling mistakes
check on somethingIt is vital to keep a check on your speed (= look at it regularly in order to control it).
I did a final check on the seating arrangements.
check with somebodyA check with the doctor confirmed his fears.
A spokesperson said the company made regular checks with the police and the council.
see alsocross-check,double-check,health check,reality check,spot check
Extra Examples
A thorough check is made before the luggage is put on the plane.
I did a quick visual check of the engine.
I have to go for a dental check.
Police are keeping a close check on the house.
a routine check on the factory
I had a last-minute check to see if the email had arrived.
Regular safety checks are conducted on the equipment used in the factory.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
complete
extensive
full
…
verb + check
carry out
complete
conduct
…
preposition
check on
See full entry
investigation
[countable]an investigation to find out more information about somebody/something
The agency insisted all the necessary background checks had been carried out.
Security checks were causing long delays at border crossings.
check on somebody/somethingThe police ran a check on the registration number of the car.
Was any check made on Mr Morris when he applied for the post?
We're running a police check on all applicants for the job.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
complete
extensive
full
…
verb + check
carry out
complete
conduct
…
preposition
check on
See full entry
mark
(also check mark)
(both especially North American English)
(British English usuallytick)
[countable]a mark (✓) put next to a sum or an item on a list, usually to show that it has been checked or done or is correct
The teacher put a check next to his name.
If there are no checks in the boxes, you have successfully unsubscribed.
Place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess.
comparecross,X
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
complete
extensive
full
…
verb + check
carry out
complete
conduct
…
preposition
check on
See full entry
money
[countable](North American English)
(also billespecially in British English)
a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant
Can I have the check, please?
Tess asked for the check and handed the waiter a credit card.
I paid the check for the dinner.
Synonyms billbill
account
invoice
check
These are all words for a record of how much you owe for goods or services you have bought or used.
billa list of goods that you have bought or services that you have used, showing how much you owe; the price or cost of something:
the gas bill
accountan arrangement with a shop or business to pay bills for goods or services at a later time, for example in regular amounts every month:
Put it on my account please.
invoice(rather formal) a bill for goods that somebody has bought or work that has been done for somebody:
The builders sent an invoice for £250.
bill or invoice?You would get a bill in a restaurant, bar or hotel; from a company that supplies you with gas, electricity, etc; or from somebody whose property you have damaged. An invoice is for goods supplied or work done as agreed between a customer and supplier.
check(North American English) a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant:
Can I have the check, please?
In British English the usual word for this is bill.
Patterns
the bill/invoice/check for something
to pay/settle a(n) bill/account/invoice/check
to put something on the/somebody’s bill/account/invoice/check
Topics Cooking and eatinga2
Extra Examples
The waiter handed me the check for my meal.
Uncle Louie picked up the dinner check.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
dinner
verb + check
have
pay
pick up
…
preposition
check for
See full entry
[countable](US English)
(British Englishcheque)
a printed form that you can write on and sign as a way of paying for something instead of using moneysee alsocashier's check,personal checkTopics Moneyb1
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
dinner
verb + check
have
pay
pick up
…
preposition
check for
See full entry
control
[countable]check (on/to something)(formal)something that delays the progress of something else or stops it from getting worse
A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects.
the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy
see alsobody check
Extra Examples
The House of Commons became the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy.
Leaving some fields fallow provided a natural check on insect populations.
The law acts as a check on people's actions.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
natural
verb + check
act as
provide
hold something in
…
preposition
check on
See full entry
checks
[plural](formal)rules that are designed to control the amount of power, especially political power, that one person or group hassee alsochecks and balances
pattern
[countable, uncountable]a pattern of squares, usually of two colours
Do you prefer checks or stripes?
a check shirt/suit
a yellow and red check skirt
see alsochecked
Wordfinder
band
check
dot
fleck
pattern
speckle
splash
spot
streak
stripe
Topics Clothes and Fashionc1
for coats/bags
[countable](North American English)coat checka place in a club, restaurant, etc. where you can leave your coat or bag
[countable](North American English)a ticket that you get when you leave your coat, bag, etc. in, for example, a restaurant or theatre
in game
[uncountable](in chess)a position in which a player’s king (= the most important piece) can be directly attacked by the other player’s pieces
There, you're in check.
see alsocheckmateTopics Games and toysc2
Word Originnoun senses 1 to 4 and noun senses 6 to 10 Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec, from medieval Latin scaccus, via Arabic from Persian šāh ‘king’; the verb from Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’. The sense ‘stop or control’ arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to ‘examine the accuracy of’. noun sense 5 late Middle English: probably from chequer, a pattern of squares, usually alternately coloured.
Idioms
hold/keep something in check
to keep something under control so that it does not spread or get worse
Maggie managed to keep her temper in check.
The epidemic was held in check by widespread vaccination.
You need to keep your temper in check!
take a rain check (on something)
(especially North American English, informal)to refuse an offer or invitation but say that you might accept it later
‘Are you coming for a drink?’ ‘Can I take a rain check?—I must get this finished tonight.’
check
exclamation
/tʃek/
/tʃek/
jump to other results
used to show that you agree with somebody or that something on a list has been dealt with
‘Do you have your tickets?’ ‘Check.’ ‘Passport?’ ‘Check.’
Topics Opinion and argumentc2
Word Originexclamation Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec, from medieval Latin scaccus, via Arabic from Persian šāh ‘king’; the verb from Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’. The sense ‘stop or control’ arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to ‘examine the accuracy of’.