Check Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/tʰɛk/

Part of Speech

Verb and Interjection

Definition

A check is a written order instructing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from the checking account of the person who issued the check to the person or business specified on the check.

Examples

1. “I need to sign this check before I deposit it into my account.”

2. “She wrote a check to cover the cost of the restaurant bill.”

Synonyms

1. Draft

2. Note

Antonyms

1. Cash payment

2. Credit transaction

Etymology

The word “check” originated from the Old French word “cheque,” which is derived from the Latin word “cheque,” meaning “a deposit” or “a financial transaction.”

The word has undergone several changes in meaning over time, evolving from a simple deposit to a written order for payment.

Usage Notes

When writing a check, it is essential to ensure that the date, payee, and amount are accurately filled out.

In informal settings, “check” can be used as a verb to ask someone if something is available or acceptable, as in “Do you have any checks in stock?”

Cultural References

In popular culture, the term “check” has appeared in various forms of media, including:

Music: The Grammy Award-winning song “Check” by Lizzo features the artist singing about financial freedom.

TV and Film: In the movie “The Usual Suspects,” the character Verbal Kint leaves a check at a crime scene.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Here are some common idiomatic expressions that include the word “check”:

Check out: to examine or investigate something.

Check up on: to regularly visit or contact someone.

Check in: to arrive or check into a hotel or other establishment.

Related Words or Phrases

Some related words or phrases to “check” include:

Payee: the person or business specified on the check to receive payment.

Drawer: the section of a bank account listing the deposits and withdrawals.

Countercheck: a reverse order or instruction to cancel a check or transaction.

Collocations

Here are some common word combinations with the term “check”:

Business check: a type of check used in commercial transactions.

Personal check: a type of check used for individual transactions.

Blank check: anunsigned check or a check without any specific information filled out.

Frequency of Use

The word “check” is widely used in everyday language, particularly in financial transactions and banking settings.

In recent years, it has gained popularity in online interactions, as seen in social media and messaging platforms.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings of the word “check” include:

chick: a young rooster or a strong and skilled female.

chex: a checkerboard pattern or a suffix in chemical or scientific terms.