- 1 [countable] check (for/on something) an act of making sure that something is safe, correct or in good condition by examining it Could you give the tyres a check? a health check The drugs were found in their car during a routine check by police. a check for spelling mistakes I'll just have a quick check to see if the letter's arrived yet. It is vital to keep a check on your speed (= look at it regularly in order to control it). see also reality check Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecomplete, extensive, full, … verb + checkcarry out, complete, conduct, … prepositioncheck on See full entry investigation
- 2 [countable] check (on somebody/something) an investigation to find out more information about something The police ran a check on the registration number of the car. Was any check made on Mr Morris when he applied for the post? Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecomplete, extensive, full, … verb + checkcarry out, complete, conduct, … prepositioncheck on See full entry control
- 3[countable] check (on/to something) (formal) something that delays the progress of something else or stops it from getting worse A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects. the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivenatural verb + checkact as, provide, hold something in, … prepositioncheck on See full entry
- 4checks [plural] (formal) rules that are designed to control the amount of power, especially political power, that one person or group has see also checks and balances pattern
- 5[countable, uncountable] a pattern of squares, usually of two colours Do you prefer checks or stripes? a check shirt/suit a yellow and red check skirt see also checked Wordfinderpatternband, check, dot, fleck, pattern, speckle, splash, spot, streak, stripe money
- 6[countable] (US English) = cheque Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivedinner verb + checkhave, pay, pick up, … prepositioncheck for See full entry
- 7[countable] (North American English) = bill Can I have the check, please? Synonymsbillaccount invoice checkThese are all words for a record of how much you owe for goods or services you have bought or used.bill a list of goods that you have bought or services that you have used, showing how much you owe; the price or cost of something:the gas billaccount an arrangement with a shop/store or business to pay bills for goods or services at a later time, for example in regular amounts every month:Put it on my account please.invoice (rather formal) a bill for goods that somebody has bought or work that has been done for somebody:The builders sent an invoice for £250.bill or invoice?You would get a bill in a restaurant, bar or hotel; from a company that supplies you with gas, electricity, etc; or from somebody whose property you have damaged. An invoice is for goods supplied or work done as agreed between a customer and supplier.check (North American English) a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant:Can I have the check, please? In British English the usual word for this is bill.Patterns the bill/invoice/check for something to pay/settle a(n) bill/account/invoice/check to put something on the/somebody’s bill/account/invoice/check Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivedinner verb + checkhave, pay, pick up, … prepositioncheck for See full entry See related entries: Dining out for coats/bags
- 8[countable] (North American English) coat check a place in a club, restaurant, etc. where you can leave your coat or bag
- 9[countable] (North American English) a ticket that you get when you leave your coat, bag, etc. in, for example, a restaurant or theatre in game
- 10[uncountable] (in chess) a position in which a player’s king (= the most important piece) can be directly attacked by the other player’s pieces There, you're in check. see also checkmate mark
- 11 (also check mark) (both North American English) (British English tick) [countable] a mark (✓) put beside a sum or an item on a list, usually to show that it has been checked or done or is correct compare cross, X Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecomplete, extensive, full, … verb + checkcarry out, complete, conduct, … prepositioncheck on See full entry Word Originnoun senses 1 to 4 and noun senses 6 to 10 Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec, from medieval Latin scaccus, via Arabic from Persian šāh ‘king’; the verb from Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’. The sense ‘stop or control’ arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to ‘examine the accuracy of’. noun sense 5 late Middle English: probably from chequer, a pattern of squares, usually alternately coloured.Extra examples A thorough check is made before the luggage is put on the plane. Can I have the check please? I did a quick visual check of the engine. I do a spell check on all my emails. I have to go for a dental check. I’ll just have a quick check to see if the letter’s arrived. In a series of spot checks, police searched buses crossing the border. Leaving some fields fallow provided a natural check on insect populations. Police are keeping a close check on the house. The band wants to do a sound check before the concert. The law acts as a check on people’s actions. The waiter handed me the check for my meal. Uncle Louie picked up the dinner check. We’re running a police check on all applicants for the job. You need to keep your temper in check! a routine check on the factory A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects. Could you give the tyres a quick check? I had a last-minute check to see if the email had arrived. I went for a health check before going on the trip. It is vital to keep a check on your speed. Regular safety checks are conducted on the equipment used in the factory. The House of Commons became the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy. The drugs were found in their car during a routine check by police. The police ran a check on the registration number of the car. Was any check made on Mr Morris when he applied for the job?Idioms
examination
to keep something under control so that it does not spread or get worse Maggie managed to keep her temper in check. The epidemic was held in check by widespread vaccination.
(informal, especially North American English) to refuse an offer or invitation but say that you might accept it later ‘Are you coming for a drink?’ ‘Can I take a rain check?—I must get this finished tonight.’
Check pronunciation: check
