Pronunciations (2)
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/t͡ʃɛk/
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[t͡ʃʰɛk̚]
Noun
An inspection or examination.
- Examples
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I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.
A control; a limit or stop.
- Examples
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checks and balances
The castle moat should hold the enemy in check.
More examples (1)
a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity
A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
A mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator.
Usage- US usage
- Synonyms
- Examples
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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.
An order to a bank to pay money to a named person or entity.
Usage- US usage
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a check for the amount.
A bill, particularly in a restaurant.
Usage- US usage
- Examples
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I summoned the waiter, paid the check, and hurried to leave.
A maneuver performed by a player to take another player out of the play.
- Examples
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The hockey player gave a good hard check to obtain the puck.
Liverpool had been reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute, Ibrahima Konaté collecting a second yellow card for a check on Kai Havertz.
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.
- Examples
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a brass check
[…]the statute prohibits a machine which dispenses checks or tokens for replay[…]
A lengthwise separation through the growth rings in wood.
A mark, certificate, or token by which errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified.
- Examples
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a check given for baggage
a return check on a railroad
The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
A small chink or crack.
In randomizers, a possible place where an item may be.
Verb
To inspect; to examine.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Check the oil in your car once a month.
Check whether this page has a watermark.
To verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit).
Usage- Transitive
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).
Usage- US usage
- often
- Transitive
- used with “off”
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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Check the items on the list that interest you.
Check the correct answer to each question.
To control, limit, or halt.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.
In mid-sentence, I checked myself abruptly, looking terribly embarrassed.
More examples (2)
c. 1775–1780, Edmund Burke, letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol so many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression
She was about to retort but something checked the words on her tongue.
To scold or rebuke someone.
Usage- Informal
- Transitive
To verify or compare with a source of information.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Check your data against known values.
To leave in safekeeping.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Check your hat and coat at the door.
To leave with a shipping agent for shipping.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Check your bags at the ticket counter before the flight.
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.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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He checked the ball and then proceeded to perform a perfect layup.
That basket doesn't count—you forgot to check!
To disrupt another player with the stick or body to obtain possession of the ball or puck.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The hockey player checked the defenceman to obtain the puck.
To announce that one is remaining in a hand without betting.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Tom didn't think he could win, so he checked.
To make a move which puts an adversary's king in check; to put in check.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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After I checked my opponent with a pawn, he resigned immediately.
To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The good king, his master, will check him for it.
To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The sun checks timber.
To make a stop; to pause.
Usage- Intransitive
- with at
- Examples
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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.
To clash or interfere.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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For if it [Loue] checke once with businesse, it troubleth Mens fortunes.
To act as a curb or restraint.
- Examples
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It [his presence] checks too strong upon me.
To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
- Examples
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And like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye.
To check out, make sense or prove to be the case after verification or interrogation.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Didn’t remember that at all. But it sure checks!
In randomizers, to go to and collect a possible place where an item may be.
Interjection
An expression showing that a requirement has been satisfied.
- Examples
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Keys? Check. Batteries? Check. We are all ready to go!
An expression that indicates that the speaker wishes to pay the bill (e.g. in a restaurant).
Noun
A pattern made up of a grid of squares of alternating colors; a checkered pattern.
Usage- in-plural
- Examples
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The tablecloth had red and white checks.
More examples (1)
One of her female followers, had made a very elegant piece of check. The Friend, being at her house, on a visit, the lady shewed the check to her, and as evidence of devotion to her leader, proposed presenting her with a pattern off the piece for her own use.
Any fabric woven with such a pattern.
Verb
To mark with a check pattern.
Usage- Transitive
Adjective
Checky, i.e. chequy.
Usage- not-comparable
- possibly
- Rare
- as a printing error
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
He died about 1270; and his son, Sir Robert, assisted the brave Sir William Wallace, and died in 1800. BOYD ARMS. Azure, a fesse check, argent et gules.
Noun
a written order directing a bank to pay money
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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he paid all his bills by check
an appraisal of the state of affairs
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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they made an assay of the contents
a check on its dependability under stress
the bill in a restaurant
- Examples
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he asked the waiter for the check
the state of inactivity following an interruption
- Broader terms
- Examples
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the negotiations were in arrest
held them in check
More examples (3)
during the halt he got some lunch
the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
he spent the entire stop in his seat
additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct
- Broader terms
- Examples
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fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
the act of inspecting or verifying
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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they made a check of their equipment
the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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as he called the roll he put a check mark by each student's name
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
- Broader terms
a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
- Synonyms
a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
- Broader terms
- Examples
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she wore a skirt with checks
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
- Broader terms
- Examples
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his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
- Broader terms
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
- Broader terms
Verb
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
- Examples
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check the brakes
Check out the engine
make an examination or investigation
- Examples
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check into the rumor
check the time of the class
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
- Broader terms
- Examples
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He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
More examples (1)
control the quality of the product
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
- Examples
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moderate your alcohol intake
hold your tongue
More examples (2)
hold your temper
control your anger
stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
- Examples
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She checked for an instant and missed a step
put a check mark on or near or next to
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Please check each name on the list
tick off the items
More examples (1)
mark off the units
slow the growth or development of
- Examples
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The brain damage will retard the child's language development
be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
- Synonyms
- Examples
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These stories don't check!
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the form
More examples (1)
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
- Synonyms
- Examples
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Parents must discipline their children
Is this dog trained?
consign for shipment on a vehicle
- Examples
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check your luggage before boarding
hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
- Examples
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Check your coat at the door
abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
- Examples
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The dog checked
mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
- Broader terms
decline to initiate betting
hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Arrest the downward trend
Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
More examples (2)
Contain the rebel movement
Turn back the tide of communism
place into check
- Examples
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He checked my kings
write out a check on a bank account
find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
- Examples
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I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
More examples (2)
find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
verify by consulting a source or authority
- Broader terms
- Examples
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check the spelling of this word
check your facts
arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
- Broader terms
- Examples
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He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
make cracks or chinks in
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The heat checked the paint
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The glass cracked when it was heated