check
An inspection or examination.
Noun 4 meanings
An inspection or examination.
“I don't know if she will be there, but it's worth a check.”
A control; a limit or stop.
“checks and balances”
A situation in which the king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
A mark (especially a checkmark: ✓) used as an indicator.
Verb 4 meanings
To inspect; to examine.
“Check the oil in your car once a month.”
To verify the accuracy of a text or translation, usually making some corrections (proofread) or many (copyedit).
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).
“Check the items on the list that interest you.”
To control, limit, or halt.
“Check your enthusiasm during a negotiation.”
Interjection 2 meanings
An expression showing that a requirement has been satisfied.
“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).
Etymology
From Middle English chek, chekke, borrowed from Old French eschec, eschek, 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”).
Similar and opposite words
CHECK at a glance
CHECK has 5 letters and scores 16 points in Scrabble (C 3 + H 4 + E 1 + C 3 + K 5) and 17 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #461 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with check
All rhymesOne letter away
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