verb | noun
checkcheck1 /tʃɛk/ ●●● S1 W2 verb 1EXAMINE [intransitive, transitive] to look at something or do something to find out if it is correct, in good condition, or as it should be: I always check my tires before a long trip. A customs officer checked our passports.check (something) for something Turn the water on and check for leaks.check that Check that all the doors are locked securely. Make sure you double-check the spellings of these names (=check something twice).check something against something Police checked his story against the girl’s statement (=compared them to see if they were the same). Perhaps next time you should check your facts more carefully.THESAURUSmake sure (also make certain formal) – to find out if a fact, statement, etc. is correct or true: Make sure the door is locked.double-check – to check something again to find out if it is safe, ready, correct, etc.: Double-check your answers before turning the test in.examine – to check something carefully in order to find out or decide something: Police examined the weapon for fingerprints.inspect – to examine something carefully or visit a place to check that everything is satisfactory: The Health Department inspects restaurants for cleanliness and safety.confirm (also verify formal) – to make sure officially that something is true: Employers are required to verify that all employees are here legally.go through something (also go over something) – to check something such as a document or plan from beginning to end, to make sure that it is correct: I had my lawyer go over the contract before I signed.test – to examine or use something in order to find out its qualities or check that it is satisfactory: The products are carefully tested before they are sold to the public.monitor – to carefully watch or keep checking someone or something in order to see what changes take place over a period of time: The tests allow teachers to monitor students’ progress.2FIND OUT [intransitive] to find out what the true or accurate situation is by looking at something, asking someone, etc.: “Is she here yet?” “I’ll go and check.” He stopped and checked his watch.check whether/how/who etc. I need to check when the letter arrived.check with It’s a good idea to check with your doctor before going on a diet.check (something) to see if/whether/what etc. I want to check to see if my name is on the list. Check back with us in a week and see if anything has changed (=ask us again in a week).3BAGS/COAT ETC. [transitive] a)to leave your suitcases or bags at an official place, so they can be put on an airplane, train, bus, etc., or to take someone’s suitcases in order to do this: Does it cost extra to check a second bag? b)to leave your coat, bag, etc. at an official place that is guarded or locked so that it will be safe while you are away from them: Can I check your coat, sir?4MAKE A MARK [transitive] to make a mark (✓) next to something to show that you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it: Check the box that says “No.”5NOT DO something [transitive] to suddenly stop yourself from saying or doing something because you realize it would be better not to: I had to check the urge to laugh out loud. I wanted to slap him, but managed to check myself.6STOP something [transitive] to stop something bad from getting worse or continuing to happen: Doctors are trying to check the spread of the disease.7SPORTS [transitive] to push another player very hard in hockeycheck in phrasal verb1 if you check in at a hotel, airport, or hospital, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived: Has Mr. Walker checked in yet? → see also check-in2 check somebody ↔ in if someone checks you in at a hotel, airport, or hospital, he or she officially records that you have arrived: Airline employees were checking in passengers. → see also check-in3 to call someone to tell him or her that you are safe or where you are: I wish he’d check in once in a while.check something ↔ off phrasal verb to make a mark (✓) next to something to show that you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it: Good, now I can check that off the list.check on somebody/something phrasal verb to go to make sure that someone or something is safe, happy or satisfied, or in the right place: Can you go up and check on the kids?check out phrasal verb1MAKE SURE check something ↔ out informal to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable: You should check that idea out with the boss first.2BE TRUE if information checks out, it is proven to be true, correct, or acceptable: We should see if his story checks out.3LOOK AT somebody/something check somebody/something ↔ out spoken to look at someone or something because that is interesting or attractive: Wow, check out that girl in the striped pants. Check it out! They’re selling hamburgers for 99 cents.4HOTEL/HOSPITAL to leave a hotel or hospital after paying the bill: We have to check out by 1 p.m.5EXAMINE/TEST something check something ↔ out to test something to find out if it works, how it works, whether it is appropriate for what you want, etc.: Have a mechanic check the car out before you buy it.6GET INFORMATION check somebody ↔ out informal to get information about someone, especially to find out if he or she is appropriate for something: We’d better check him out before we offer him the job.7BUYING AT A STORE to pay for your goods at a supermarket or other large store before leaving: We can go as soon as I check out. → see also checkout8BOOKS check something ↔ out to borrow books or other materials from a library: You can only check out three books at a time.9SELLING AT A STORE check somebody ↔ out to take the money that someone owes for goods at a supermarket or other large storecheck over phrasal verb1check something ↔ over to look closely at something to make sure it is correct or acceptable: I’ll have my lawyer check over the contract.2check somebody ↔ over to examine someone to make sure he or she is healthy: The doctor checked her over and couldn’t find anything wrong.check up on somebody/something phrasal verb to do something to make sure that someone is doing what he or she is supposed to do, or that something is correct: Mom’s always checking up on me to see if I’m eating right. verb | noun
checkcheck2 ●●● S1 W2 noun 1
FROM YOUR BANK [countable] a printed piece of paper that you sign and write an amount of money on in order to pay for things: check for She gave the family a check for $2,450. Can I pay by check? I’ll write you a check and put it in the mail today. Have you cashed the check (=asked a bank to give you the amount of money on a check) yet?2FINDING OUT [countable] a process of finding out if something is safe, correct, true, or in the condition it should be: a security checkcheck of a check of phone records I want you to run a check on (=do the things needed to find out about something) his credit history.check for Ask the lab to do a check for any viruses. a background check (=check for a criminal record) of new gun purchasers3IN A RESTAURANT [countable] a list that you are given in a restaurant that shows how much you must pay for what you have eaten SYN bill: May I have the check, please?► see thesaurus at bill14A CONTROL ON something [usually singular] something that controls something else and stops it from getting worse or continuing to happen: check on a check on the government’s power Higher interest rates will act as a check on public spending.5MARK [countable] a mark (✓) that you put next to something to show that you chose it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it6PATTERN [countable, uncountable] a pattern of squares, especially on cloth: a tablecloth with red and white checksa check shirt/tie/jacket etc. (=a shirt, tie, etc. made with this pattern on it) → see also checked7keep/hold something in check to keep someone or something under control: The law is designed to keep rents in check.8checks and balances a system of rules in government or business that keeps any one person or group from having too much power or control9hat/coat check a place in a restaurant, theater, etc. where you can leave your coat, bag, etc. to be guarded until you go home10keep a check (on somebody/something) to watch or listen to someone or something regularly or continuously, in order to control something or gather information: Keep a check on the engine temperature so that it doesn’t overheat.11GAME [uncountable] the position of the king (=most important piece) in a game of chess when it can be directly attacked by the opponent’s pieces12SPORTS [countable] an act of pushing another player very hard in hockey[Origin: (1-6, 9-11) 1300–1400 Old French eschec check in chess, from Arabic shah, from Persian, king]