Check definition

Check as a verb

1. examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

   "check the brakes"

   Same sense: go over, look into, check out, check up on, check into, check over, suss out

2. make an examination or investigation

   "check into the rumor"

3. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

   Same sense: see, see to it, control, ensure, assure, insure, ascertain

4. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

   Same sense: control, hold in, hold, contain, moderate, curb

5. stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution

   "She checked for an instant and missed a step"

6. put a check mark on or near or next to

   "Please check each name on the list"

   Same sense: check off, mark, mark off, tick off, tick

7. slow the growth or development of

   Same sense: delay, retard

8. be verified or confirmed; pass inspection

   "These stories don't check!"

   Same sense: check out

9. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

   "The handwriting checks with the signature on the form"

   Same sense: match, agree, fit, tally, correspond, jibe, gibe

10. block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey

11. develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control

    Same sense: train, condition, discipline

12. consign for shipment on a vehicle

    "check your luggage before boarding"

13. hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

    "Check your coat at the door"

14. abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey

15. stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

    "The dog checked"

16. mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on

    Same sense: checker, chequer

17. decline to initiate betting

18. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of

    "Check the growth of communism in South East Asia"

    Same sense: stop, turn back, hold back, arrest, contain

19. place into check

    "He checked my kings"

20. write out a check on a bank account

21. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

    "Check whether the train leaves on time"

    Same sense: see, find out, watch, learn, determine, ascertain

22. verify by consulting a source or authority

    "check the spelling of this word"

23. arrest the motion (of something) abruptly

    "He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve"

24. make cracks or chinks in

    "The heat checked the paint"

    Same sense: chink

25. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

    Same sense: break, crack

Check as a noun

26. a written order directing a bank to pay money

    "he paid all his bills by check"

    Same sense: bank check, cheque

27. an appraisal of the state of affairs

    "a check on its dependability under stress"

    Same sense: assay

28. the bill in a restaurant

    "he asked the waiter for the check"

    Same sense: tab, chit

29. the state of inactivity following an interruption

    "held them in check"

    Same sense: stop, stay, arrest, halt, hitch, stoppage

30. additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

    Same sense: confirmation, verification, substantiation

31. the act of inspecting or verifying

    "they made a check of their equipment"

    Same sense: check-out procedure, checkout

32. a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.

    "as he called the roll he put a check mark by each student's name"

    Same sense: check mark, tick

33. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

    Same sense: handicap, deterrent, impediment, hindrance, balk, baulk, hinderance

34. a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something

    Same sense: chip

35. a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)

    "she wore a skirt with checks"

36. the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

    Same sense: curb, bridle

37. obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

38. (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king

Synonyms and antonyms

• go over
• look into
• check out
• check up on
• check into
• check over
• suss out
• see definition
• see to it
• control definition
• ensure
• assure
• insure
• ascertain
• hold in
• hold definition
• contain
• moderate
• curb
• check off
• mark
• mark off
• tick off
• tick

All synonyms of check, sense by sense

How to say check

Check has 1 syllable and rhymes with neck. Syllable counts and rhymes come from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary.

Words that rhyme with check

• neck
• deck
• sec
• heck
• wreck
• trek
• beck
• rec
• spec
• paycheck
• cheque
• peck

All 35 words that rhyme with check

CHECK in word games

Scrabble

16

Words With Friends

17

Anagrams

0

Is CHECK a valid Scrabble word? Yes, it is in the ENABLE list most word games use. Check CHECK in the word checker, or unscramble CHECK to see the shorter words in its letters.