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check

Check: Small word, loads of different meanings. One of the most common is "to inspect or verify." You might check the oven to see if your cookies are done.

A few of the many meanings of check: As a noun: the act of restraining power or action; a pattern of squares resembling a checkerboard; a restaurant bill; a financial instrument payable to the named bearer (from your checkbook); a mark indicating that something's been noted or finished. As a verb: to crack on the surface; to slow or delay growth; to obstruct your hockey opponent; to hand over for inventory and safekeeping, especially baggage on a plane.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: check

1
 vn
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
an appraisal of the state of affairs
2
 vn
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
3
 nv
a written order directing a bank to pay money
write out a check on a bank account
4
 nv
a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
put a check mark on or near or next to
5
 nv
a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
6
 vn
make cracks or chinks in
a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
7
 nv
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
place into check
8
 vn
block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
9
 v
decline to initiate betting
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: check
1

v examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

“check the brakes”
“Check out the engine”
Synonyms:
check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out
check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off
put a check mark on or near or next to
Types:
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follow, keep an eye on, observe, watch, watch over
follow with the eyes or the mind
keep tabs on
keep a record on or watch attentively
guard
to keep watch over
invigilate, proctor
watch over (students taking an exam, to prevent cheating)
Type of:
analyse, analyze, canvas, canvass, examine, study
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

v make an examination or investigation

“check into the rumor”
“check the time of the class”
Types:
screen, test
test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
countercheck
check a second time
breathalyse, breathalyze
test someone's alcohol level in his blood by means of a breathalyzer
Type of:
examine, see
observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect

v be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

Synonyms:
ascertain, assure, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off
put a check mark on or near or next to
ascertain, determine, find out, learn, see, watch
find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
control, verify
check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard
Types:
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proof, proofread
read for errors
control
verify by using a duplicate register for comparison
double-check
check once more to be absolutely sure
cross-check
check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example
cinch
make sure of
card
ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor
spot-check
pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality
cover
maintain a check on; especially by patrolling
Type of:
verify
confirm the truth of

v verify by consulting a source or authority

“check the spelling of this word”
“check your facts”
Synonyms
ascertain, assure, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
Type of:
verify
confirm the truth of

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

“Check whether the train leaves on time”
Synonyms:
ascertain, determine, find out, learn, see, watch
ascertain, assure, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
ascertain, determine, find, find out
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
Types:
test
determine the presence or properties of (a substance)

v be verified or confirmed; pass inspection

“These stories don't check!”
Synonyms:
check out
agree, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

v be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

“The handwriting checks with the signature on the check”
Synonyms:
agree, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally
check out
be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
accord, agree, concord, consort, fit in, harmonise, harmonize
go together
Antonyms:
disaccord, disagree, discord
be different from one another
Types:
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consist
be consistent in form, tenor, or character; be congruous
look
accord in appearance with
answer
match or correspond
coincide
be the same
align
be or come into adjustment with
correlate
to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
parallel
be parallel to
duplicate, parallel, twin
duplicate or match
square
be compatible with
bear out, corroborate, support, underpin
support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
resemble
appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
conform to, fit, meet
satisfy a condition or restriction
homologize
be homologous
befit, beseem, suit
accord or comport with
accord, agree, concord, consort, fit in, harmonise, harmonize
go together
pattern
form a pattern
adhere
be compatible or in accordance with
rhyme, rime
be similar in sound, especially with respect to the last syllable
coordinate
be co-ordinated
look like
bear a physical resemblance to
come to life
be lifelike, as of a painting
take after
be similar to a relative
approximate, come close
be close or similar
fill the bill, fit the bill
be what is needed or be good enough for what is required
behoove, behove
be appropriate or necessary
fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy
meet the requirements or expectations of
imitate
appear like, as in behavior or appearance
echo, recall
call to mind
blend, blend in, go
blend or harmonize
accommodate, fit, suit
be agreeable or acceptable to
assonate
correspond in vowel sounds; rhyme in assonance
Type of:
be, equal
be identical or equivalent to

v hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

“Check your coat at the door”
Type of:
charge, consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping

v consign for shipment on a vehicle

“check your luggage before boarding”
Type of:
charge, consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping

v develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control

Synonyms:
condition, discipline, train
groom, prepare, train
educate for a future role or function
Types:
mortify
practice self-denial of one's body and appetites
Type of:
develop, make grow
cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development

n an appraisal of the state of affairs

“a check on its dependability under stress”
Synonyms:
assay
Types:
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countercheck, double check
something that checks the correctness of a previous check
Apgar score
an assessment of the physical condition of a newborn infant; involves heart rate and muscle tone and respiratory effort and color and reflex responsiveness
paternity test
a test based on blood groups to determine whether a particular man could be the biological father of a particular child; negative results prove he was not the father but positive results show only that he could be
stress test
a test measuring how a system functions when subjected to controlled amounts of stress
treadmill test
a stress test in which the patient walks on a moving treadmill while the heart and breathing rates are monitored
Type of:
appraisal, assessment
the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth

n the act of inspecting or verifying

“they made a check of their equipment”
“the pilot ran through the check-out procedure”
Synonyms:
check-out procedure, checkout
Types:
spot check
a check on work performance or product quality made at random times without warning
Type of:
inspection, review
a formal or official examination

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

Synonyms:
confirmation, substantiation, verification
Types:
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bed check
a check that everyone is in bed by the time they should be
crosscheck
an instance of confirming something by considering information from several sources
odd-even check, parity check, redundancy check
a system of checking for errors in computer functioning
checksum
a digit representing the sum of the digits in an instance of digital data; used to check whether errors have occurred in transmission or storage
Type of:
cogent evidence, proof
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
2

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

Synonyms:
contain, control, curb, hold, hold in, moderate
Types:
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bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel
place limits on (extent or access)
conquer, curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress
to put down by force or authority
damp
restrain or discourage
crucify, mortify, subdue
hold within limits and control
abnegate, deny
deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure
restrict
place under restrictions; limit access to
train
cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it
catch
check oneself during an action
bate
moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
thermostat
control the temperature with a thermostat
counteract, countercheck
oppose or check by a counteraction
blink, blink away, wink
force to go away by blinking
reduce, tighten
narrow or limit
tie
limit or restrict to
gate
restrict (school boys') movement to the dormitory or campus as a means of punishment
draw a line, draw the line
reasonably object (to) or set a limit (on)
mark off, mark out
set boundaries to and delimit
harness, rein, rule
keep in check
baffle, regulate
check the emission of (sound)
cramp, halter, hamper, strangle
prevent the progress or free movement of
dampen, stifle
smother or suppress
choke back, choke down, choke off
suppress
constrain, stiffen, tighten, tighten up
restrict
clamp down, crack down
repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable)
hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, silence, still
cause to be quiet or not talk
inhibit
limit the range or extent of
burke
get rid of, silence, or suppress
silence
keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
quell, quench, squelch
suppress or crush completely
constrain, cumber, encumber, restrain
hold back
muffle, repress, smother, stifle, strangle
conceal or hide
mortify
practice self-denial of one's body and appetites
classify
declare unavailable, as for security reasons
taboo
declare as sacred and forbidden
trellis
train on a trellis, as of a vine
scant, skimp
limit in quality or quantity
localise, localize
restrict something to a particular area
Type of:
hold back, keep, keep back, restrain
keep under control; keep in check

v slow the growth or development of

Synonyms:
delay, retard
Types:
dampen
check; keep in check (a fire)
delay, detain, stay
stop or halt
Type of:
alter, change, modify
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

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

“Check the growth of communism in South East Asia”
Synonyms:
arrest, contain, hold back, stop, turn back
Types:
cut down, cut out
intercept (a player)
Type of:
defend
be on the defensive; act against an attack

v arrest the motion (of something) abruptly

“He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve”
Types:
halt, stanch, staunch, stem
stop the flow of a liquid
Type of:
stop
cause to stop

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

“She checked for an instant and missed a step”
Type of:
halt, stop
come to a halt, stop moving

v stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

“The dog checked”
Type of:
halt, stop
come to a halt, stop moving

v abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey

Type of:
halt, stop
come to a halt, stop moving

n the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

Synonyms:
bridle, curb
Type of:
restraint
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something

n something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Synonyms:
balk, baulk, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, hindrance, impediment
Types:
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albatross, millstone
(figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
bind
something that hinders as if with bonds
diriment impediment
(canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage)
drag
something that slows or delays progress
obstacle, obstruction
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
straitjacket
anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines
barrier, roadblock
any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective
hang-up, hitch, rub, snag
an unforeseen obstacle
hurdle
an obstacle that you are expected to overcome
stymie, stymy
a thwarting and distressing situation
Type of:
difficulty
a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result

n the state of inactivity following an interruption

“held them in check”
Synonyms:
arrest, halt, hitch, stay, stop, stoppage
Types:
countercheck
a check that restrains another check
logjam
any stoppage attributable to unusual activity
Type of:
inaction, inactiveness, inactivity
the state of being inactive
3

n a written order directing a bank to pay money

“he paid all his bills by check”
Synonyms:
bank check, cheque
Types:
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bad check, bad cheque
a check that is dishonored on presentation because of insufficient funds
kite
a bank check drawn on insufficient funds at another bank in order to take advantage of the float
kite
a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
counter check
a blank check provided by a bank for the convenience of customers who are making withdrawals
giro, giro cheque
a check given by the British government to someone who is unemployed; it can be cashed either at a bank or at the post office
paycheck, payroll check
a check issued in payment of wages or salary
certified check, certified cheque
a check containing certification that the person who issued the check has sufficient funds on deposit to cover payment
personal check, personal cheque
a check drawn against funds deposited in your personal checking account
cashier's check, cashier's cheque, treasurer's check, treasurer's cheque
a check issued by the officer of a bank on the banks own account (not that of a private person)
blank check, blank cheque
a check that has been signed but with the amount payable left blank
medicare check, medicare payment
a check reimbursing an aged person for the expenses of health care
Type of:
bill of exchange, draft, order of payment
a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another

n the bill in a restaurant

“he asked the waiter for the check”
Synonyms:
chit, tab
Type of:
account, bill, invoice
an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered

v write out a check on a bank account

Type of:
cut, issue, make out, write out
make out and issue
4

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

“as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name”
Synonyms:
check mark, tick
Type of:
mark
a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation)

v put a check mark on or near or next to

“Please check each name on the list”
Synonyms:
check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off
check into, check out, check over, check up on, go over, look into, suss out
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
ascertain, assure, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
Types:
receipt
mark or stamp as paid
Type of:
verify
confirm the truth of
5

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

“she wore a skirt with checks”
Types:
dog's-tooth check, dogs-tooth check, dogstooth check, hound's-tooth check, houndstooth check
textile with a pattern of small broken or jagged checks
Type of:
weave
pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric

v mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on

Synonyms:
checker, chequer
Type of:
draw
represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface
6

v make cracks or chinks in

“The heat checked the paint”
Synonyms:
chink
break, crack
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
Type of:
crack
cause to become cracked

v become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

Synonyms:
break, crack
chink
make cracks or chinks in
crack
cause to become cracked
Types:
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crack
break partially but keep its integrity
chap
crack due to dehydration
craze
develop a fine network of cracks
alligator
crack and acquire the appearance of alligator hide, as from weathering or improper application; of paint and varnishes
Type of:
change
undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature

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

Synonyms:
chip
Type of:
blemish, defect, mar
a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
7

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

Types:
discovered check
a check on the opponent's king that is delivered by moving a piece out of the line of attack by a queen or rook or bishop
Type of:
chess move
the act of moving a chess piece

v place into check

“He checked my kings”
Type of:
aggress, attack
take the initiative and go on the offensive
8

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

Type of:
block, blockade, embarrass, hinder, obstruct, stymie, stymy
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

n obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

Types:
crosscheck
an illegal check (chopping at an opponent's arms or stick)
poke check
knocking the puck away by jabbing at it with the hockey stick
Type of:
obstruction
getting in someone's way
9

v decline to initiate betting

Type of:
go, move
have a turn; make one's move in a game
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