cheque

Other forms: cheques; chequed

A cheque is a written order directing a bank to pay out money, and it's exactly the same thing as a check, but with more exciting letters.

The American English word for the slip of paper that authorizes your bank to make a payment is check, which is the adjusted spelling of the British English cheque. That word comes from exchequer which is like a bank, and so a cheque is a note that has the seal of the bank: an official piece of paper. Cheque can be used as a verb meaning "withdraw."

Definitions of cheque

1. noun

   a written order directing a bank to pay money
   synonyms: bank check, check

   types:

   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
2. verb

   withdraw money by writing a check
   synonyms: check out

   type of:

   draw, draw off, take out, withdraw

   remove (a commodity) from (a supply source)