/ English Dictionary

CHECK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of inspecting or verifying

Example:

the pilot ran through the check-out procedure

Synonyms:

check; check-out procedure; checkout

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

inspection; review (a formal or official examination)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

spot check (a check on work performance or product quality made at random times without warning)

Derivation:

check (examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition)

check (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

check (verify by consulting a source or authority)

check (find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort)

check (be verified or confirmed; pass inspection)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

chess move (the act of moving a chess piece)

Domain category:

chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

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)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

obstruction (getting in someone's way)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

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)

Holonyms ("check" is a part of...):

hockey; hockey game; ice hockey (a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled hockey sticks)

Derivation:

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

Sense 4

Meaning:

The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

Example:

his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper

Synonyms:

bridle; check; curb

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

restraint (the act of controlling by restraining someone or something)

Derivation:

check (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits)

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

Sense 5

Meaning:

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

Example:

she wore a skirt with checks

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

weave (pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

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)

Derivation:

check (mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on)

Sense 6

Meaning:

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

Synonyms:

check; chip

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

blemish; defect; mar (a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body))

Derivation:

check (make cracks or chinks in)

check (become fractured; break or crack on the surface only)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Synonyms:

balk; baulk; check; deterrent; handicap; hinderance; hindrance; impediment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

difficulty (a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

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)

Sense 8

Meaning:

An appraisal of the state of affairs

Example:

a check on its dependability under stress

Synonyms:

assay; check

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

appraisal; assessment (the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

stress test (a test measuring how a system functions when subjected to controlled amounts of stress)

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)

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)

countercheck; double check (something that checks the correctness of a previous check)

Derivation:

check (examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition)

Sense 9

Meaning:

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

Example:

fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory

Synonyms:

check; confirmation; substantiation; verification

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

cogent evidence; proof (any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

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)

Derivation:

check (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

check (make an examination or investigation)

Sense 10

Meaning:

The bill in a restaurant

Example:

he asked the waiter for the check

Synonyms:

check; chit; tab

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

account; bill; invoice (an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered)

Sense 11

Meaning:

A mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.

Example:

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

Synonyms:

check; check mark; tick

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

mark (a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation))

Derivation:

check (put a check mark on or near or next to)

Sense 12

Meaning:

A written order directing a bank to pay money

Example:

he paid all his bills by check

Synonyms:

bank check; check; cheque

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

bill of exchange; draft; order of payment (a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

medicare check; medicare payment (a check reimbursing an aged person for the expenses of health care)

blank check; blank cheque (a check that has been signed but with the amount payable left blank)

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))

personal check; personal cheque (a check drawn against funds deposited in your personal checking account)

certified check; certified cheque (a check containing certification that the person who issued the check has sufficient funds on deposit to cover payment)

paycheck; payroll check (a check issued in payment of wages or salary)

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)

counter check (a blank check provided by a bank for the convenience of customers who are making withdrawals)

kite (a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value)

kite (a bank check drawn on insufficient funds at another bank in order to take advantage of the float)

bad check; bad cheque (a check that is dishonored on presentation because of insufficient funds)

Derivation:

check (write out a check on a bank account)

Sense 13

Meaning:

The state of inactivity following an interruption

Example:

he spent the entire stop in his seat

Synonyms:

arrest; check; halt; hitch; stay; stop; stoppage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("check" is a kind of...):

inaction; inactiveness; inactivity (the state of being inactive)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "check"):

countercheck (a check that restrains another check)

logjam (any stoppage attributable to unusual activity)

Derivation:

check (arrest the motion (of something) abruptly)

check (stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

Example:

The glass cracked when it was heated

Synonyms:

break; check; crack

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Verb group:

check; chink (make cracks or chinks in)

crack (cause to become cracked)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

crack (break partially but keep its integrity)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

check (a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make cracks or chinks in

Example:

The heat checked the paint

Synonyms:

check; chink

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

crack (cause to become cracked)

Verb group:

break; check; crack (become fractured; break or crack on the surface only)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

check (a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Arrest the motion (of something) abruptly

Example:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

stop (cause to stop)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

halt; stanch; staunch; stem (stop the flow of a liquid)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

check (the state of inactivity following an interruption)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Slow the growth or development of

Example:

The brain damage will retard the child's language development

Synonyms:

check; delay; retard

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

dampen (check; keep in check (a fire))

delay; detain; stay (stop or halt)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

Example:

Check out the engine

Synonyms:

check; check into; check out; check over; check up on; go over; look into; suss out

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

analyse; analyze; canvass; examine; study (consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning)

Verb group:

check; check off; mark; mark off; tick; tick off (put a check mark on or near or next to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

follow; keep an eye on; observe; watch; watch over (follow with the eyes or the mind)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

The men check the area for animals

The men check for animals in the area

Derivation:

check (the act of inspecting or verifying)

check (an appraisal of the state of affairs)

checker (one who checks the correctness of something)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Put a check mark on or near or next to

Example:

mark off the units

Synonyms:

check; check off; mark; mark off; tick; tick off

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

verify (confirm the truth of)

Verb group:

check; 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; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

receipt (mark or stamp as paid)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

check (a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

Example:

control the quality of the product

Synonyms:

ascertain; assure; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

verify (confirm the truth of)

Verb group:

check; check off; mark; mark off; tick; tick off (put a check mark on or near or next to)

check (verify by consulting a source or authority)

ascertain; check; 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)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

cover (maintain a check on; especially by patrolling)

spot-check (pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality)

card (ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor)

cinch (make sure of)

cross-check (check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example)

double-check (check once more to be absolutely sure)

control (verify by using a duplicate register for comparison)

proof; proofread (read for errors)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

check (the act of inspecting or verifying)

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

Sense 8

Meaning:

Verify by consulting a source or authority

Example:

check your facts

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

verify (confirm the truth of)

Verb group:

ascertain; assure; check; control; ensure; insure; see; see to it (be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

check (the act of inspecting or verifying)

Sense 9

Meaning:

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

Example:

Check whether the train leaves on time

Synonyms:

ascertain; check; determine; find out; learn; see; watch

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Verb group:

ascertain; assure; check; 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)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

test (determine the presence or properties of (a substance))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They check whether there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

check (the act of inspecting or verifying)

Sense 10

Meaning:

Write out a check on a bank account

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

cut; issue; make out; write out (make out and issue)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

check (a written order directing a bank to pay money)

Sense 11

Meaning:

Place into check

Example:

He checked my kings

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

aggress; attack (take the initiative and go on the offensive)

"Check" entails doing...:

go; move (have a turn; make one's move in a game)

Domain category:

chess; chess game (a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 12

Meaning:

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

Example:

Turn back the tide of communism

Synonyms:

arrest; check; contain; hold back; stop; turn back

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

defend (be on the defensive; act against an attack)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

cut down; cut out (intercept (a player))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 13

Meaning:

Decline to initiate betting

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

go; move (have a turn; make one's move in a game)

Domain category:

card game; cards (a game played with playing cards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 14

Meaning:

Mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on

Synonyms:

check; checker; chequer

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

draw (represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

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

Sense 15

Meaning:

Stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution

Example:

She checked for an instant and missed a step

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Verb group:

check (stop in a chase especially when scent is lost)

check (abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

check (the state of inactivity following an interruption)

Sense 16

Meaning:

Stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

Example:

The dog checked

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Verb group:

check (stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 17

Meaning:

Abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Verb group:

check (stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution)

Domain category:

falconry (the art of training falcons to hunt and return)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 18

Meaning:

Hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

Example:

Check your coat at the door

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

charge; consign (give over to another for care or safekeeping)

Verb group:

check (consign for shipment on a vehicle)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something to somebody

Sentence example:

They check the cape

Derivation:

checker (an attendant who checks coats or baggage)

Sense 19

Meaning:

Consign for shipment on a vehicle

Example:

check your luggage before boarding

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

charge; consign (give over to another for care or safekeeping)

Verb group:

check (hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 20

Meaning:

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

Example:

control your anger

Synonyms:

check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

counteract; countercheck (oppose or check by a counteraction)

thermostat (control the temperature with a thermostat)

bate (moderate or restrain; lessen the force of)

catch (check oneself during an action)

train (cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it)

abnegate; deny (deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure)

crucify; mortify; subdue (hold within limits and control)

damp (restrain or discourage)

conquer; stamp down; subdue; suppress (bring under control by force or authority)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

check (the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess)

Sense 21

Meaning:

Make an examination or investigation

Example:

check the time of the class

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

examine; see (observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

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)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

They won't check the story

Derivation:

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

Sense 22

Meaning:

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

Example:

Is this dog trained?

Synonyms:

check; condition; discipline; train

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

develop; make grow (cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development)

Verb group:

groom; prepare; train (educate for a future role or function)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

mortify (practice self-denial of one's body and appetites)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

check (the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess)

Sense 23

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy (hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to check his opponent

Derivation:

check (obstructing an opponent in ice hockey)

Sense 24

Meaning:

Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

Example:

The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun

Synonyms:

agree; check; correspond; fit; gibe; jibe; match; tally

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "check" is one way to...):

be; equal (be identical or equivalent to)

Verb group:

check; check out (be verified or confirmed; pass inspection)

accord; agree; concord; consort; fit in; harmonise; harmonize (go together)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "check"):

rhyme; rime (be similar in sound, especially with respect to the last syllable)

adhere (be compatible or in accordance with)

pattern (form a pattern)

accord; agree; concord; consort; fit in; harmonise; harmonize (go together)

befit; beseem; suit (accord or comport with)

homologize (be homologous)

resemble (appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to)

bear out; corroborate; support; underpin (support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm)

square (be compatible with)

duplicate; parallel; twin (duplicate or match)

parallel (be parallel to)

correlate (to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation)

align (be or come into adjustment with)

coincide (be the same)

answer (match or correspond)

look (accord in appearance with)

consist (be consistent in form, tenor, or character; be congruous)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 25

Meaning:

Be verified or confirmed; pass inspection

Example:

These stories don't check!

Synonyms:

check; check out

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Verb group:

agree; check; correspond; fit; gibe; jibe; match; tally (be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

They won't check the story

Derivation:

check (the act of inspecting or verifying)

Credits

 Context examples: 

To throw one’s whole strength and weight on the oars and to feel the boat checked in its forward lunge by the heavy drag behind, was not exactly exhilarating.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The man was about to urge them on, when he checked himself, roused up with an effort, and looked around.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Do not dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, if only as a check to my own memory.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I gave her a check, and I never thought any more of the matter.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive that he was rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

In type 2 diabetes, the most common form, tissues in the body lose their sensitivity to insulin, and pancreatic beta cells can’t make enough insulin to keep glucose levels in check.

(Developing Insulin-Producing Cells to Treat Diabetes, NIH)

This is important because sharks are top predators that keep the marine ecosystem in check, helping to sustain the food web that supports millions of people worldwide who rely on seafood sustenance.

(New way to save endangered sharks – and our seafood, SciDev.Net)

Ophthalmoscopy may be used to check for eye problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, eye cancer, optic nerve problems, or eye injury.

(Ophthalmoscopy, NCI Dictionary)

A non-invasive test usually done during the third trimester to check for fetal well being.

(Obstetric Non-Stress Test, NCI Thesaurus)

A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health.

(Osteoporosis, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

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