Check | Mean of check in English Dictionary
/ˈtʃɛk/
- Verb
- to look at (something) carefully to find mistakes, problems, etc., or to make sure there is nothing wrong with it
- 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.
- I checked the tires for wear. [=to see if they are worn down/out]
- The guards checked my passport.
- Be careful to check for any mistakes.
- The border guards checked in my luggage for contraband.
- to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc.
- 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.
- We were out of milk last time I checked. [=looked]
- “Do you have these shoes in a larger size?” “I don't know. Let me check.” [=take a look]
- I think the door is locked, but I'll have to check (to be sure).
- Did you check to see where the movie was playing?
- I checked to make sure the door was locked.
- to look at or in (a place) in order to find or get something or someone
- 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.
- to find out if you have any (mail, messages, etc.)
- Did you check the mail yet today?
- She checked [=listened to] her phone messages when she got home.
- He logged on and checked [=read] his e-mail.
- to talk with someone in order to get approval, information, etc., about something
- I'll have to check with the manager before I can let you in.
- Check with your doctor to find out which drugs are safe.
- I'm not sure when you should arrive. I'll have to check that with my wife.
- to slow or stop (something or someone) from doing something
- She started to speak but then checked [=stopped] herself.
- The batter checked his swing. [=the batter started to swing and then stopped]
- to stop or hit (an opponent) in order to steal the ball or puck, defend the goal, etc.
- He was checked by the defender.
- to leave (something you own) with a worker at a restaurant, hotel, etc., who keeps it in a special area or room (called a checkroom) while you are there
- I checked my hat and coat in the restaurant's checkroom.
- to give (your bags, suitcases, etc.) to a worker so that they can be loaded onto a plane or train
- We checked our bags before boarding.
- to take (someone's bags, suitcases, etc.) to load them onto a plane or train
- The airline checked our bags before we boarded.
- to mark (something) with a check (✓) to show that it has been done, approved, etc.
- You should check [=(chiefly Brit) tick] each item on the list after you've completed it.
- You should check off [=(chiefly Brit) tick off] each item on the list after you've completed it.
- to be proven to be true, accurate, etc.
- Her story didn't check. [=the evidence did not support her story]
- to return to a place, person, etc., in order to try something again or to get additional information
- We are not hiring today, but check back next month.
- I'll check back with you [=talk to you again] in about a week.
- to report to someone when you arrive at a place (such as an airport or convention) to let them know you are there
- Passengers must check in one hour before the flight leaves.
- Where do I have to check in?
- to arrive at and be given a room in a hotel, motel, etc.
- check in [=register] at a hotel
- Guests cannot check in before 4:00 PM.
- to talk with someone in order to report or find out new information
- I'm just checking in to see how things are going.
- I have to go to a meeting now, but I'll check in with you later.
- to leave or take bags, suitcases, etc., so that they can be loaded onto a plane or train
- We checked our bags in at the station.
- The airline checked in our luggage.
- to arrive at and be given a room in (a hotel, motel, etc.)
- We checked into a hotel.
- to look for information about (something)
- The police are checking into [=checking on, checking up on] his activities. [=the police are investigating his activities]
- A problem like that should really be checked into carefully.
- to give official approval for (something)
- My boss will have to check off on [=authorize, approve] my decision.
- to look at or examine (someone or something) to see if there are any problems
- The nurse checked on the patients regularly.
- to look for information about (someone or something)
- The police are checking on [=checking up on] him.
- I asked the waiter to check on [=find out what was happening with] my order.
- to leave and pay for your room at a hotel, motel, etc.
- We checked out (of the hotel) early.
- to die
- There are still a lot of things I want to accomplish in life before I finally check out.
- to be proven to be accurate, true, etc.
- I didn't believe her at first, but her story checked out.
- The description checked out when we compared it with the photograph. [=we saw that the description was accurate when we compared it with the photograph]
- to find out if (something) is true
- The police are still trying to check out [=investigate, confirm] his alibi.
- to look at (something or someone) in order to find problems, mistakes, etc.
- We carefully checked out the car for defects.
- He had problems with his computer and asked the technician to check it out.
- He needs to get checked out by a doctor.
- to look at (someone or something that is attractive or interesting)
- When she walked into the room, all the guys were checking her out.
- Just check out his new car!
- We're going to the mall to check out that new clothing store.
- Check it out—they've got that new book in stock.
- to borrow (something) from a library
- He checked out [=took out, borrowed] a book on farming.
- to add up the cost of the goods that someone buys in a store (such as a supermarket) and accept payment for them
- She got a job checking out groceries at the supermarket.
- to pay for the goods that you buy in a store
- There was a long line of people waiting to check out their groceries.
- She was able to check out quickly using her debit card.
- to look at (something or someone) in a careful way to find problems, mistakes, etc.
- checking the new cars over
- The doctors checked him over for bruises.
- Be sure to check over each item on the list for any mistakes.
- She checked herself over [=she looked at herself carefully] in the mirror before going to the party.
- to look at the parts of (a group of things)
- I checked through all his letters but found nothing useful.
- to find or look for information about (someone or something) often in order to find out the truth
- My parents are always checking up on me.
- The police are checking up on his alibi.
- Noun
- the act or process of looking at or examining something to find out information or see if there is anything wrong with it
- 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/did a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly.
- They did a sound check [=tested the sound equipment] before the concert.
- All government employees are subject to a security check. [=all government employees are investigated to see if they can be trusted]
- You should keep a close check on your blood pressure. [=you should watch your blood pressure closely]
- The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen.
- something that stops or limits another thing
- a system that acts/serves as a check on the governor's power [=a system that limits the governor's power]
- The store hired a guard to put a check on shoplifting. [=to reduce or stop shoplifting]
- The government has lowered interest rates in an attempt to put a check on inflation.
- an act of hitting or stopping a player in order to steal the ball or puck, defend a goal, etc.
- He was penalized for an illegal check.
- a hip check [=an act of hitting by bumping with the hips]
- a piece of paper that is used to make a payment to someone using the money in a bank account
- 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?
- write/cash/draw a check
- a bill for the food and drinks that are served in a restaurant
- She asked the waiter for the check.
- a mark ✓ that is used to show that something (such as an item on a list) has been noted, done, etc.
- a room in a restaurant, theater, etc., where you can leave something that you do not want to carry or wear
- He left his coat at the coat check. [=checkroom, coatroom, (chiefly Brit) cloakroom]
- a hat check
- When she was younger she worked as a coat-check/hat-check girl. [=a woman whose job is to take and return the things that people leave in a checkroom]
- a ticket that is given to you when you leave something (such as a hat or a coat) that you will return for later
- a baggage check
- a situation in the game of chess in which a player's king can be captured on the opponent's next turn and must be protected or moved
- He moved his bishop and said, “Check!” to show that my king was in check.
- under control
- He's trying to hold his emotions in check. [=he is trying to control his emotions]
- The government has lowered interest rates in an attempt to keep inflation in check.
- a pattern of squares in different colors
- a fabric with a blue and yellow check
- a check [=checked, checkered] fabric
- a tablecloth with a check [=checked, checkered] pattern