What does "check" mean?
An inspection or examination.
Check
/t͡ʃɛk/ adj, intj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, intj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An inspection or examination.
- Grammar: check is listed as adj, intj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: cheque, curb, tick, a reckoning of.
- Useful contrasts: animalistic drive, loose, gee.
- Usage evidence: I just wanted to check my email.
How to use "check"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "check" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "check" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "check" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "check" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "check" is acting as adj, intj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "cheque" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "check", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An inspection or examination.
"I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check."
- 2 A pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.
"The tablecloth had red and white checks."
- 3 the act of inspecting or verifying wordnet
- 4 A control; a limit or stop.
"checks and balances"
- 5 Any fabric woven with such a pattern.
Show 22 more definitions
- 6 (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king wordnet
- 7 A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
- 8 obstructing an opponent in ice hockey wordnet
- 9 A mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator. US
"Norton had made a neat, lawyerly check beside each of the items he and Billy had picked up—half a dozen or so, including the milk and a six-pack of Coke."
- 10 the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess wordnet
- 11 An order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity. US
"I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount."
- 12 a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard) wordnet
- 13 A bill, particularly in a restaurant. US
"I summoned the waiter, paid the check, and hurried to leave."
- 14 a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something wordnet
- 15 A maneuver performed by a player to take another player out of the play.
"The hockey player gave a good hard check to obtain the puck."
- 16 something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress wordnet
- 17 A token used instead of cash in various contexts, including sign-out of company property or collection of rations (dated), in gaming machines, or in gambling generally.
"a brass check"
- 18 an appraisal of the state of affairs wordnet
- 19 A lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood.
- 20 additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct wordnet
- 21 A mark, certificate, or token by which errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified.
"a check given for baggage"
- 22 the bill in a restaurant wordnet
- 23 The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
- 24 a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc. wordnet
- 25 A small chink or crack.
- 26 a written order directing a bank to pay money wordnet
- 27 the state of inactivity following an interruption wordnet
Verb
- 1 To inspect; to examine. transitive
"Check the oil in your car once a month."
- 2 To mark with a check pattern. transitive
- 3 become fractured; break or crack on the surface only wordnet
- 4 To verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit). transitive
- 5 make cracks or chinks in wordnet
Show 42 more definitions
- 6 To mark items on a list (with a checkmark or by crossing them out) that have been chosen for keeping or removal or that have been dealt with (for example, completed or verified as correct or satisfactory). US, often, transitive
"Check the items on the list that interest you."
- 7 arrest the motion (of something) abruptly wordnet
- 8 To control, limit, or halt. transitive
"Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation."
- 9 slow the growth or development of wordnet
- 10 To scold or rebuke someone. informal, transitive
- 11 examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition wordnet
- 12 To verify or compare with a source of information. transitive
"Check your data against known values."
- 13 put a check mark on or near or next to wordnet
- 14 To leave in safekeeping. transitive
"Check your hat and coat at the door."
- 15 be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something wordnet
- 16 To leave with a shipping agent for shipping. transitive
"Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight."
- 17 verify by consulting a source or authority wordnet
- 18 To pass or bounce the ball to an opponent from behind the three-point line and have the opponent pass or bounce it back to start play. transitive
"He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup."
- 19 find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort wordnet
- 20 To disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck. transitive
"The hockey player checked the defenceman to obtain the puck."
- 21 write out a check on a bank account wordnet
- 22 To announce that one is remaining in a hand without betting. transitive
"Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked."
- 23 place into check wordnet
- 24 To make a move which puts an adversary's king in check; to put in check. transitive
"After I checked my opponent with a pawn, he resigned immediately."
- 25 hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of wordnet
- 26 To chide, rebuke, or reprove. transitive
"The good king, his master, will check him for it."
- 27 decline to initiate betting wordnet
- 28 To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
- 29 mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on wordnet
- 30 To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
- 31 stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution wordnet
- 32 To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack. transitive
"The sun checks timber."
- 33 stop in a chase especially when scent is lost wordnet
- 34 To make a stop; to pause. intransitive
"The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after."
- 35 abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey wordnet
- 36 To clash or interfere. obsolete
"For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes."
- 37 hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping wordnet
- 38 To act as a curb or restraint.
"It [his presence] checks too strong upon me."
- 39 consign for shipment on a vehicle wordnet
- 40 To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
"And like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye."
- 41 lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits wordnet
- 42 To check out, make sense or prove to be the case after verification or interrogation. intransitive
"Didn’t remember that at all. But it sure checks!"
- 43 make an examination or investigation wordnet
- 44 develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control wordnet
- 45 block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey wordnet
- 46 be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics wordnet
- 47 be verified or confirmed; pass inspection wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Checky, i.e. chequy. not-comparable, possibly, rare
"CHECKY, [...] Checky, according to Colombiere, is one of the most noble and ancient figures [...] Checky is always composed of metal, and colour. [...] So that if that be or, and the next gules, the house or family is said to bear check, or, and gules. When the whole shield is not chequered , but only the chief, a bend, cross, or the like, the number of ranges should be expressed."
Intj
- 1 An expression showing that a requirement has been satisfied.
"Keys? Check. Batteries? Check. We are all ready to go!"
- 2 An expression that indicates that the speaker wishes to pay the bill (e.g. in a restaurant).
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"I just wanted to check my email."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "check"?
Common synonyms include: cheque, curb, tick, a reckoning of, abrade, abrasion.
How do you use "check" in a sentence?
I just wanted to check my email.
How do you pronounce "check"?
Pronounced /t͡ʃɛk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English chek, chekke, borrowed from Old French eschek, eschec, eschac, from Medieval Latin scaccus, borrowed from Arabic شَاه (šāh, “king or check at chess, shah”), borrowed from Classical Persian شَاه (šāh, “king”), from Middle Persian 𐭬𐭫𐭪𐭠 (mlkʾ /šāh/), from Old Persian 𐏋 (XŠ /xšāyaθiya/, “king”), from Proto-Indo-Iranian *kšáyati (“he rules, he has power over”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tek- (“to gain power over, gain control over”). All of the English senses developed from the chess sense. Compare Saterland Frisian Schak, Schach, Dutch schaak, German Schach, Danish skak, Swedish schack, Icelandic skák, French échec, Italian scacco. See chess and shah (“king of Persia or Iran”), from the same source, as well as thig, which derives from the Germanic cognate.
Etymology 2
From Middle English chekken, partly from Old French eschequier and partly from the noun (see above).
Etymology 3
By shortening from chequer, from Old French eschequier (“chessboard”), from Medieval Latin scaccarium, ultimately from the same Persian root as above.