check
1 of 3verb
ˈchek 
checked; checking; checks
transitive verb
1
a
: to inspect, examine, or look at appraisingly or appreciatively —usually used with out or over
The doctors checked him over for injuries.checking out new carsAnd so no, I won't help you to find a way to check out women in front of your wife.—
Amy Dickinson
Amy Dickinson b
: to compare with a source, original, or authority : verify
needs to check her facts
c
: to look at (something) to obtain information
checking a watch to see the time
check a map/schedule
d
: to look or reach into (something) to find what is there
Harry glanced around at Fred, who was looking anxious and checking his pockets.—J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling e
: to access (email, voice mail, etc.) to find out if there are messages
kept checking her voice mail throughout the day
f
: to mark with a check as examined, verified, or satisfactory —often used with off
checked off each item
2
a
: to slow or bring to a stop : brake
hastily checked the impulse
b
: to block the progress of (someone, such as a hockey player)
3
: to leave or accept for safekeeping in a checkroom
check a coat
4
a
: to consign (something, such as luggage) to a common carrier from which one has purchased a passenger ticket
checked our bags before boarding
b
: to ship or accept for shipment under such a consignment
5
a
: to restrain or diminish the action or force of : control
tried to thwart or check our purposes in the legislature
b
: to slack or ease off (a rope) and then belay again
6
: to mark into squares : checker
check the cloth
7
: to put (a chess king) in check
8
: to make checks or chinks : cause to crack
the sun checks timber
9
chiefly dialectal : rebuke, reprimand
intransitive verb
1
a
: to investigate conditions
checked on the passengers' safety
b
: to prove to be consistent or truthful
The description checks with the photograph.
—often used with out The story checked out.
c
: to look at or in something to see or find what is there
check for messages on a cell phone
2
a
of a dog : to stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
b
: to halt through caution, uncertainty, or fear : stop
The train checked with a jolt …—B. A. Williams
B. A. Williams3
: to draw a check on a bank
4
: to waive the right to initiate the betting in a round of poker
5
: crack, split
Drying wood can cause it to check.
check
2 of 3noun
1
a
: examination
a quick check of the engine
b
: the act of testing or verifying
making a check on the data
also : the sample or unit used for testing or verifying
c
: inspection, investigation
a loyalty check on government employees
d
: a standard for testing and evaluation : criterion
2
: a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed : draft
Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card?
3
: one that arrests, limits, or restrains : restraint
… against all checks, rebukes, and manners, I must advance …—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare4
a
: a sudden stoppage of a forward course or progress : arrest
The outbreak of war in 1939 gave a sudden check to the sculptor's work.—Herbert Read
Herbert Read b
: a checking of an opposing player (as in ice hockey)
5
: a sudden pause or break in a progression
the invaders coming in without a check
6
a
: a slip indicating the amount due : bill
Ask the waiter for the check.
b
: a ticket or token showing ownership or identity or indicating payment made
a baggage check
c
: a counter in various games
7
: a mark typically ✓ placed beside an item to show it has been noted, examined, or verified
8
: exposure of a chess king to an attack from which he must be protected or moved to safety
with his king in check
9
[Middle English chek, short for cheker checker]
a
: a pattern in squares that resembles a checkerboard
bordered her plain shower curtain with a check in coordinating bathroom colors
b
: a fabric woven or printed with such a design
Fashionable checks come in all sizes and colors in both twill and square weaves.
10
: crack, break
11
archaic : reprimand, rebuke
checkless
ˈchek-ləs
adjective check
3 of 3interjection
—used to express assent or agreement
Phrases
check into 1
: to check in at
check into a hotel
2
: investigate
The police are checking into his alibi.
informal
—used to take back or correct a previous statement
"Sir, I don't know why but there must be a foot or two of water coming down Claiborne. No, check that—three feet."—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block
Christopher Cooper and Robert Block : investigate
check up on a possible investment
: under restraint or control
trying to keep his emotions in check
Synonyms
Verb
- accord
- agree
- answer
- chord
- cohere
- coincide
- comport
- conform
- consist
- correspond
- dovetail
- fit
- go
- harmonize
- jibe
- rhyme
- rime
- sort
- square
- tally
Noun
- bill
- tab
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb Make sure to check your spelling. She checked her makeup in the mirror. We should check the equipment to make sure that it's working properly. The guards checked my passport. He checked his watch and saw that it was almost noon. I'll just check the map to see where we are. I'll check the newspaper to see when the movie starts. If you're looking for a spoon, check the top drawer. I checked his office but he wasn't there. If you're looking for the umbrella, check in the closet. Noun Please give the schedule a check to see if the times are correct. I gave the ingredients list a quick check to see if the cereal contained any sugar. She ran a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly. The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen. He was penalized for an illegal check. He made out the check to me and signed it, and I deposited it in my account. Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card? a fabric with a blue and yellow check See More
Recent Examples on the WebRene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2023 Marie Antoinette premieres March 19 at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), and will be available to stream on PBS.org, the PBS app, PBS Passport, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. —Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2023 If there's any uncertainty, check your school's calendar or social media feeds. —Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 14 Feb. 2023 Regulatory agencies then check the data from the trials, as well as from the trial sponsors, to ensure that the safety of patients wasn’t compromised. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2023 Many winter coats, especially peacoats, only call for dry cleaning, so check your coat’s tag or any instructions that may have come with its packaging. —Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2023 The lawmakers want companies that apply to check a box on a form promising not to conduct buybacks for a specific period of time. —Jordan Fabian, Bloomberg.com, 13 Feb. 2023 Always check the address at the top of your browser page before logging in. —Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2023 Later in spring or early summer, check the tuber for new growth. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023 Hannah Sarisohn, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Earlier this month, Spears — who for a few days deactivated her Instagram account — gently chided her fans after a number of them called Ventura County law enforcement the night of Jan. 24 to request a welfare check on the singer. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023 Make sure each direct transfer is payable to your new IRA custodian and do not take the check directly payable to yourself. —Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Taxpayers could receive the refund as a direct deposit into their bank account, or as a paper check by mail. —Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023 The concern from those close to her follows growing concern from the public, too, which culminated last month in a welfare check from local police. —Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023 Social Security recipients just received a sizable cost-of-living adjustment in their first check of 2023, putting more money in the pockets of older Americans. —Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023 Kate writes her a check for three thousand pounds and leaves, while Joe sticks around to confirm that Malcolm threatened to expose Simon. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 9 Feb. 2023 Social Security recipients just received a sizable cost-of-living adjustment in their first check of 2023, putting more money in the pockets of older Americans. —Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 See More
Verb
Fans can check the Weinermobile’s location on the official Oscar Mayer website. —Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2023 Marie Antoinette premieres March 19 at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), and will be available to stream on PBS.org, the PBS app, PBS Passport, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. —Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2023 If there's any uncertainty, check your school's calendar or social media feeds. —Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 14 Feb. 2023 Regulatory agencies then check the data from the trials, as well as from the trial sponsors, to ensure that the safety of patients wasn’t compromised. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2023 Many winter coats, especially peacoats, only call for dry cleaning, so check your coat’s tag or any instructions that may have come with its packaging. —Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2023 The lawmakers want companies that apply to check a box on a form promising not to conduct buybacks for a specific period of time. —Jordan Fabian, Bloomberg.com, 13 Feb. 2023 Always check the address at the top of your browser page before logging in. —Dallas News, 12 Feb. 2023 Later in spring or early summer, check the tuber for new growth. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023 Noun
Officers had conducted a welfare check on Hernandez on Monday after she was reported missing. —Hannah Sarisohn, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Earlier this month, Spears — who for a few days deactivated her Instagram account — gently chided her fans after a number of them called Ventura County law enforcement the night of Jan. 24 to request a welfare check on the singer. —Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2023 Make sure each direct transfer is payable to your new IRA custodian and do not take the check directly payable to yourself. —Orlando Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2023 Taxpayers could receive the refund as a direct deposit into their bank account, or as a paper check by mail. —Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023 The concern from those close to her follows growing concern from the public, too, which culminated last month in a welfare check from local police. —Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023 Social Security recipients just received a sizable cost-of-living adjustment in their first check of 2023, putting more money in the pockets of older Americans. —Jeanna Smialek, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023 Kate writes her a check for three thousand pounds and leaves, while Joe sticks around to confirm that Malcolm threatened to expose Simon. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 9 Feb. 2023 Social Security recipients just received a sizable cost-of-living adjustment in their first check of 2023, putting more money in the pockets of older Americans. —Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English chek, from Anglo-French eschec, from Arabic shāh, from Persian, literally, king; akin to Greek ktasthai to acquire, Sanskrit kṣatra dominion
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 7
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8
Interjection
1922, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing check
Kids Definition
check
1 of 2 noun ˈchek
1
: the exposing of a chess king to attack
2
: a sudden stopping of progress
3
: something that delays, stops, or holds back : restraint
4
: examination sense 1, investigation
5
: a written order telling a bank to pay out money from a person's or company's account to the one named on the order
pay a bill by check
cash a check
6
a
: a ticket or token that shows that the bearer has a claim to something
a baggage check
b
: a slip of paper showing the amount due : bill
7
a
: a pattern of squares
b
: a fabric with such a design
8
: a mark ✓ placed beside an item to show it has been noted
check
2 of 2 verb1
: to put a chess king in check
2
a
: to bring to a stop
to check an impulse
b
: to come to a stop
3
: to hold back : restrain, curb
checked her temper
4
a
: to make sure that something is correct or satisfactory
check your blood pressure
check it out with a teacher
b
: to inspect, examine, or look at
checking out new cars
checked over the damage
5
: to mark with a check
check the first item
6
: to mark with squares : checker
7
: to leave or accept for safekeeping or for shipment
check baggage
8
: to be the same on every point : tally
Legal Definition
check
noun1
: something that limits or restrains see also checks and balances
2
: a written order signed by its maker directing a bank to pay a specified sum to a named person or to that person's order on demand see also negotiable instrument compare draft
— bank check
: a check drawn by a bank on its deposits in another bank
— cashier's check
: a check drawn by a bank on its own funds and signed by the cashier or another bank official
— certified check
: a check certified to be good by the bank upon which it is drawn by the signature of usually the cashier or paying teller with the word certified or accepted across the face of the check
— NSF check Not Sufficient Funds
: a check drawn on an account with insufficient funds from which to make payment
check 1 of 2
noun
1
as in bill
the amount owed at a bar or restaurant or the slip of paper stating the amount diners at that temple of gastronomy often look shocked when they receive the check Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bill
- tab
- receipt
- record
- fee
- account
- statement
- expense
- score
- invoice
- figure
- cost
- charge
- damage
- tally
- reckoning
2
as in inspection
a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition made a careful check of the antique table before buying it Synonyms & Similar Words
- inspection
- audit
- examination
- survey
- scan
- scrutiny
- checkup
- review
- view
- look-see
- analysis
- recheck
- investigation
- research
- study
- going-over
- probe
- dissection
- exploration
- deconstruction
- perusal
- assay
- inquisition
- watch
- reinspection
- checkout
- observation
- trial run
- interrogation
- resurvey
- close-up
- once-over
- surveillance
- test-drive
3
as in account
a record of goods sold or services performed together with the costs due request a detailed check from the company before sending any money Synonyms & Similar Words
- account
- bill
- rate
- statement
- document
- tab
- receipt
- invoice
- record
- price
- score
- charge
- fee
- cost
- expense
- reckoning
- tally
- toll
- ledger
4
as in ticket
a small sheet of plastic, paper, or paperboard showing that the bearer has a claim to something (as admittance) handed over a check for his coat Synonyms & Similar Words
- ticket
- pass
- coupon
- note
- certificate
- token
- voucher
- pasteboard
5
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice the judiciary is intended to be a check on the executive and legislative branches of government Synonyms & Similar Words
- restriction
- constraint
- limitation
- condition
- curb
- restraint
- stipulation
- reservation
- exception
- qualification
- proviso
- stricture
- strings
- ban
- circumscription
- prohibition
- fetter
- proscription
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freedom
- latitude
6
as in fissure
an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure the network of fine checks on the surface would indicate that the painting is quite old Synonyms & Similar Words
- fissure
- crevice
- split
- crack
- rift
- cleft
- gap
- cranny
- opening
- fracture
- chink
- slit
- cut
- rupture
- craze
- breach
- crevasse
- hairline
- incision
- gash
7
as in halt
the stopping of a process or activity the announcement of bad news gave a sudden check to the celebration Synonyms & Similar Words
- halt
- close
- ending
- stop
- stay
- cessation
- conclusion
- end
- finish
- closure
- cutoff
- shutdown
- offset
- cease
- expiration
- stoppage
- arrest
- shutoff
- termination
- lapse
- pause
- discontinuation
- discontinuance
- surcease
- closedown
- arrestment
- suspension
- break
- interruption
- phaseout
- standstill
- abeyance
- moratorium
- mop-up
- layoff
- letup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continuation
- continuance
- extension
- persistence
- prolongation
check
2 of 2verb
1
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point their story of what happened checks with the report of the eyewitness Synonyms & Similar Words
- correspond
- coincide
- conform
- agree
- go
- sort
- answer
- fit
- tally
- consist
- square
- rhyme
- harmonize
- match
- jibe
- accord
- chord
- align
- comport
- dovetail
- rime
- cohere
- fall in with
- register
- parallel
- equal
- line up
- aline
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disagree (with)
- differ (from)
- contradict
- dispute
- nullify
- negate
- conflict
- jar
- gainsay
- clash
2
as in to stop
to bring (something) to a standstill a tree finally checked the skidding car Synonyms & Similar Words
- stop
- catch
- halt
- stall
- stay
- block
- still
- arrest
- pull up
- draw up
- fetch up
- hold up
- snag
- hold
- suspend
- bring up
- hinder
- hold back
- end
- conclude
- impede
- cut off
- stem
- detain
- call
- clog
- balk
- obstruct
- dam
- terminate
- baffle
- bottleneck
- turn back
- choke off
- discontinue
- blockade
- suppress
- squelch
- stunt
- staunch
- repress
- squash
- stanch
- rein (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- continue
- keep (on)
- proceed
- persist
- keep up
- move
- progress
- advance
- push
- run on
- march
- follow through (with)
- wend
- fare
- drive
- carry on
- stir
- actuate
- spur
- propel
- goad
- go along
- impel
- budge
3
as in to keep
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) check your enthusiasm a bit, and think before you marry someone you just met Synonyms & Similar Words
- keep
- control
- regulate
- contain
- curb
- measure
- restrain
- stop
- rule
- hold
- pull in
- suppress
- stifle
- tame
- govern
- constrain
- bridle
- hold back
- inhibit
- pocket
- interrupt
- swallow
- rein (in)
- squelch
- block
- repress
- smother
- arrest
- silence
- mince
- muffle
- sink
- strangle
- choke (back)
- hinder
- impede
- hamper
- obstruct
- muzzle
- gag
- handcuff
- bottle (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lose
- loosen
- loose
- take out
- express
- liberate
- vent
- unleash
- air
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of check are bridle, curb, and restrain. While all these words mean "to hold back from or control in doing something," check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.
trying to check government spending
While in some cases nearly identical to check, bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.
bridle an impulse to throw the book down
Although the words curb and check have much in common, curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.
learn to curb your appetite
In some situations, the words restrain and check are roughly equivalent. However, restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.
restrained themselves from laughing