Check Meaning, Definition, and Synonyms

Check is a very common English word with several meanings. It can mean to examine something, to stop or control something, to verify that something is correct, or a written order to pay money. It is also used for a bill in a restaurant and for a mark showing that something has been completed.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /tʃɛk/

Easy pronunciation: CHEK (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, stressed on the only syllable.

Primary sense is the verb meaning to examine something carefully to make sure it is correct or in good condition.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Check Meaning

to examine something carefully to make sure it is correct or in good condition

Part of speech: verb

Definition: examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

Example: Check the tyres before you drive.

Synonyms for this meaning:

inspect — A practical substitute when the focus is careful examination.
examine — Works well when looking closely to judge quality or condition.
review — Suitable when looking over something to spot problems or mistakes.
go over — Natural in everyday English for checking something carefully.
look into — Works when checking by investigation, though it is slightly more investigative.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Check

Meaning 2

to find out something for sure

Part of speech: verb

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

Example: I’ll check whether the train is delayed.

Synonyms for this meaning:

ascertain — Accurate but formal.
determine — Works when establishing a fact with certainty.
find out — A very common everyday substitute.
learn — Works when the result is obtaining information.

Meaning 3

to be shown to be true or correct

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be verified or confirmed; pass inspection

Example: The story doesn’t check.

Synonyms for this meaning:

verify — A strong substitute when something is confirmed as correct.
confirm — Works when evidence shows something is true.

Meaning 4

to make sure something happens or is done

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

Example: Check that the door is locked.

Synonyms for this meaning:

ensure — A direct, practical substitute.
insure — Possible in older or formal usage with this sense, but less common today.
make sure — Very natural in everyday English.

Meaning 5

to mark an item with a tick or check mark

Part of speech: verb

Definition: put a check mark on or near or next to

Example: Please check the boxes that apply.

Synonyms for this meaning:

tick — Common in British English and also understandable elsewhere.
mark — Works when the action is simply putting a mark beside something.
check off — Good when marking items as done or selected.

Meaning 6

a bank payment slip

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a written order directing a bank to pay money

Example: She paid the rent by check.

Synonyms for this meaning:

cheque — Standard British spelling of the same thing.
bank check — Clear but less common in everyday English.

Meaning 7

the bill you pay at a restaurant

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the bill in a restaurant

Example: Could we have the check, please?

Synonyms for this meaning:

tab — Can work in some contexts, but more informal and not always the same.
chit — Used in some contexts, especially in British English, but less common.

Meaning 8

a tick or mark showing something is done

Part of speech: noun

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

Example: Put a check next to each completed task.

Synonyms for this meaning:

check mark — Direct term for the symbol itself.
tick — Common equivalent, especially in British English.

Meaning 9

something that slows or blocks progress

Part of speech: noun

Definition: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Example: Financial problems put a check on growth.

Synonyms for this meaning:

hindrance — A genuine substitute for something that gets in the way.
impediment — Formal, but clearly fits this sense.
obstacle — Very common general equivalent.

Meaning 10

the act of holding something back or limiting it

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

Example: The new rules act as a check on abuse.

Synonyms for this meaning:

curb — Works when the meaning is restraint or limitation.
restraint — A good general substitute for limiting force or action.

Meaning 11

a stop or pause in activity

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the state of inactivity following an interruption

Example: The project came to a check after funding was cut.

Synonyms for this meaning:

halt — Works when activity stops.
stoppage — More formal and less common.
stop — A direct everyday substitute.

Meaning 12

a pattern of squares or crossed lines

Part of speech: noun

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

Example: She wore a dress in blue checks.

Meaning 13

to match or agree with something

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

Example: His account checks with the witness statements.

Synonyms for this meaning:

match — A strong everyday substitute.
agree — Works when two things are consistent with each other.
correspond — More formal, but accurate in this sense.

Meaning 14

to make a checked pattern on something

Part of speech: verb

Definition: mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on

Example: The fabric was checked with red and white lines.

Synonyms for this meaning:

checker — Technical or rare in modern usage.
chequer — British spelling, mostly in formal or literary use.

Meaning 15

to stop or hold back something from spreading or growing

Part of speech: verb

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

Example: The walls checked the spread of the fire.

Synonyms for this meaning:

contain — A strong substitute when something is kept from spreading.
hold back — Natural and accurate in this sense.
stop — Works when the meaning is preventing further spread.

Meaning 16

to reduce or keep something under control

Part of speech: verb

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

Example: The medicine helps check the pain.

Synonyms for this meaning:

control — A strong general substitute.
curb — Very good when limiting something unwanted.
moderate — Works when making something less strong or extreme.

Meaning 17

to make growth or development slower

Part of speech: verb

Definition: slow the growth or development of

Example: Cold weather checked the plant’s growth.

Synonyms for this meaning:

delay — Related, but not always an exact substitute.
retard — Accurate but formal and less common.

Meaning 18

to mark something as selected or completed

Part of speech: verb

Definition: put a check mark on or near or next to

Example: Check the items you want to buy.

Synonyms for this meaning:

mark — Works when the action is simply marking an item.
tick off — Natural when listing or selecting items.

Meaning 19

to hand luggage or goods over for transport

Part of speech: verb

Definition: consign for shipment on a vehicle

Example: We checked our bags at the airport.

Meaning 20

to give something to someone to keep for a short time

Part of speech: verb

Definition: hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

Example: You can check your coat at the door.

Meaning 21

to write a bank check

Part of speech: verb

Definition: write out a check on a bank account

Example: I’ll check the payment tonight.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Check Synonyms

Similar Meaning

inspect
examine
review
go over
look into

find out or determine something

ascertain
determine
find out
learn

be verified or confirmed

verify
confirm

make sure something happens

ensure
make sure

mark with a check mark

tick
mark
check off

bank payment slip

cheque
bank check

restaurant bill

tab
chit

a mark showing something is done

check mark
tick

something that blocks or delays progress

hindrance
impediment
obstacle

restraint or limitation

curb
restraint

a stop or pause

halt
stoppage
stop

match or agree with

match
agree
correspond

hold back or prevent spread

contain
hold back
stop

reduce or keep under control

control
curb
moderate

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Do not mix up check meaning 'examine' with check meaning 'bank payment' or 'restaurant bill'.
Do not use cheque as a synonym in American English contexts unless the British spelling is intended.
Do not confuse check with cheque: they are the same kind of bank payment word, but different spellings.
Do not treat every sense of check as interchangeable with control; only some senses fit.
Do not use check mark and check off as if they mean the same thing in every context.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of check?

The most common everyday meaning is to examine something carefully or make sure it is correct.

What are the main synonyms for check?

For the main sense, good synonyms include inspect, examine, review, and go over. The best choice depends on the context.

Is check a noun or a verb?

It can be both. As a verb, it often means to examine or verify something. As a noun, it can mean a bank payment slip, a restaurant bill, a mark, or a restraint.

What is the difference between check and cheque?

They usually mean the same bank payment slip, but cheque is the British spelling and check is the American spelling.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.