to check
Third Person
checks
Present Participle
checking
Past Tense
checked
Past Participle
checked
1
to keep something bad under control in order to prevent deterioration or to slow down its spread or development
transitive
- He wrapped a bandage tightly around his sprained ankle to check the swelling.
- The vaccine was administered to check the spread of the virus.
- The doctor recommended medication to check the progression of the illness.
- The government wants to check inflation to ensure economic stability.
- Adding preservatives to the food helps check bacterial growth.
2
to discover information about something or someone by looking, asking, or investigating
transitive
- I'll check the weather forecast to see if it's going to rain tomorrow.
- Let me check the train schedule to find the next available departure.
- I think the store closes at 8 PM, but I'll check their website for the exact hours.
- He checked the menu to decide what to order for dinner.
- Before the meeting, we should check the agenda to know what topics will be discussed.
3
to mark an item or option with a cross, circle, etc. in a form, survey, exam paper, etc.
transitive
- You can check the boxes next to the items you wish to purchase.
- Don't forget to check the box if you want to receive email updates.
- Students are reminded to check the correct answers on their test papers.
- To complete your registration, check the box to agree to the terms and conditions.
- Please check the appropriate box to indicate your dietary preferences.
4
to leave one's baggage, coat, etc. in a designated place while visiting a restaurant, bar, etc.
transitive
- Let's check our bags at the coat check before heading into the theater.
- We should check our jackets so we can dine comfortably.
- The hostess asked, "May I take your umbrella to check?"
- Before dining, we checked our backpacks at the restaurant's coatroom.
- You can check your belongings with the attendant at the nightclub.
5
used to make someone become aware of, pay attention to, or focus on something
transitive
- Hey, check these photos from our trip; they came out great!
- You should check this book; it's an interesting read.
- Hey, check this!It's a new gadget I just bought
- Check this new painting I just finished!
6
to be confirmed as accurate or true, typically used in negative statements
- His alibi didn't check, so he was considered a suspect in the robbery case.
- The witness's testimony didn't check with the evidence presented in court.
- The data from the experiment didn't check, raising doubts about its validity.
- The witness's account checked with the security camera footage, confirming the suspect's innocence.
- The explanation he gave for his absence just doesn't check; there are inconsistencies in his story.
Synonyms:
7
(in chess) to threaten the opponent's king with capture
transitive
- The knight's move checked the king's position.
- I need to find a way to check the opponent's king and protect my own.
- She moved her knight to check the opponent's king.
- The rook's move allowed him to check the king and gain a strategic advantage.
- She realized her mistake when her opponent checked her king.
8
to pass the action to the next player without making a bet, when there has been no previous bet in the current betting round
- In poker, if you have a weak hand, you can check instead of betting.
- He decided to check to see if the next card improved his hand.
- When it was her turn, she chose to check rather than raise.
- If everyone at the table checks, the next community card is revealed.
- The player with the best hand may choose to check to induce others to bet.
9
(in ice hockey) to use one's body or stick to block or hinder an opponent's progress or play
transitive
- He used his stick to check the opponent's advance and regain possession of the puck.
- She used her body to check the opponent off balance and gain control of the puck.
- The forward tried to check the opposing player along the boards.
10
to suddenly slow down or stop, usually because of caution, uncertainty, or fear
- The driver had to check the car when a deer suddenly appeared on the road.
- The horse checked its pace as it approached the unfamiliar terrain.
- The aircraft's warning system caused it to check its descent.
- The sudden noise made him check in his tracks.
11
(of dogs) to stop momentarily to verify or reacquire a scent during tracking or hunting
- The bloodhound checked at the crossroads, ensuring it was still on the trail of the escaped convict.
- The tracking dog expertly checked for the scent of the missing child in the dense forest.
- The scent was faint, so the coonhound frequently checked to stay on the raccoon's trail.
12
(of trained hawks) to abandon its original prey and pursue a different target
- The falconer watched in amazement as his hawk suddenly checked and darted after a different bird.
- During the hunt, the hawk's ability to check and adapt to changing prey made it a valuable asset to the falconer.
- The hawk's sharp instincts allowed it to check and switch targets swiftly, making it an efficient hunter.
- In mid-flight, the hawk decided to check and pursue a more suitable prey that had appeared in its field of vision.
13
to temporarily release tension or pressure on a rope and then secure it once more
transitive
- The climbing guide demonstrated how to check the rope securely to prevent any dangerous slips during the ascent.
- The experienced rock climber knew when to check the rope to ensure a smoother descent.
- As the hiker reached a tricky section, they needed to check the rope to avoid getting stuck.
- The mountaineer carefully checked the rope while navigating a challenging crevasse.
- The climber decided to check the rope briefly to adjust their position before continuing the ascent.
14
to cause cracks to form in a material, particularly wood or timber, due to certain conditions or exposure
transitive
- The intense heat and sunlight began to check the wooden fence, resulting in visible cracks.
- Wooden furniture left outdoors without protection will likely check and deteriorate over time.
- Over time, the sun can check the paint on outdoor furniture, leading to peeling and cracking.
- The sun can check timber over time, making it crack and split.
- The extreme heat during the summer can check the asphalt on the road, causing cracks.
Synonyms:
15
to create a pattern of small, often square-shaped marks or designs on a fabric or material
transitive
- She decided to check the tablecloth with a classic gingham pattern.
- The artist used a fine brush to check the fabric with intricate squares.
- The tailor carefully checked the woolen suit for a subtle plaid pattern.
- She used a stencil to check the fabric with a delightful floral pattern.
- To give the scarf a unique look, she chose to check it with a grid of small dots.