Skip to main content
check

check

5 5.8
A small chip or notch in the surface of something
  • noun
  • /tʃɛk/
translation icon : mella
  • During the restoration, the craftsmen added a decorative check to the surface for visual appeal.

Examples

  • I've signed these checks.

  • Several pieces of dried human, check.

    Blog text (9)
  • I have to cash some traveler's checks.

  • What used to take a few weeks now can take six months or more if background checks raise even the slightest suspicion.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Maybe a royalty check?

    Blog text (31)
  • The careful artisan made a precise check in the wood to ensure a perfect fit.

  • She noticed a small check in the paint after the kids played with their toys in the room.

Synonyms

chip
vscheck
130 2.1

A small piece broken off an object, often leaving a mark

is an indentation caused by breaking or chopping away part of the surface
score
vscheck
13 7.8

A small cut made on a surface to show a number

is a mark created by breaking or chopping away part, not a tally cut
indentation
vscheck
13 3.7

A small dent in a surface that cutting or hitting causes

is made specifically by breaking or chopping away a piece
dig
vscheck
12 4.8

A small mark made on a surface by a hit or push

is made by breaking or chopping away a piece rather than by poking
prick
vscheck
7 6.3

A small mark or dent on a surface used as a guide

is formed by breaking or chopping away a piece rather than by scratching
dimple
vscheck
6 1.6

A small rounded dip on a surface like a golf ball

is a small notch made by breaking or chopping, not a smooth rounded hollow
incision
vscheck
2 5.7

A narrow cut an artist makes on a surface to show a design

is an indentation made by breaking or chopping away, not a carved narrow cut
knick
vscheck
1 4.6

A small cut or mark on a surface that appears when something hits it

is produced by breaking or chopping away a piece rather than accidental damage
snick
vscheck
9.0

A small sharp cut or notch that makes a quiet sound

is an indentation made by breaking or chopping away rather than a sharp cut
indenture
vscheck
  • Archaic
9.2

A curved cut or hollow in a coastline, like a small bay

is a small manmade indentation from breaking or chopping, not a large natural feature

Idioms

Politely say no now but suggest doing it another time

to rain check
  • Informal
3 4.5

To say you will do something later instead of now

To take a short nap as a joke

To stop and think before you say or do something that causes trouble

A promise that payment is on the way but probably is not

Compounds

35 4.5

A promise to accept an invitation later when you cannot now

A system that stops one person or group having too much power by sharing control

reality check
  • Informal
26 3.9

An experience that makes you see the true situation

25 2.5

Registering your arrival at a hotel, airport, or event by giving your name and documents

20 2.5

A visit to a doctor to check your general health

bad check
  • Specialized
13 3.5

A check from an account without enough money that the bank does not pay

cashier's check
  • Specialized
12 4.6

A check a bank writes and promises to pay the person who receives it

9 2.8

A written order that tells a bank to pay money from a person's account

9 4.6

Freedom to act or spend money without limits

7 3.6

Paper you can use like money abroad that you cash at a bank or shop by showing your ID

5 3.5

A monthly payment from the government or insurance for someone who cannot work because of a disability

5 5.3

A check to make sure everyone is in bed at the set time

check-in
  • Texting
5 3.5

A report sent by an app about your health or mood

gut check
  • Informal
3 8.8

A quick feeling that tells you if something is right

3 3.6

A short surprise test to see if work meets standards

certified check
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A check the bank promises will have enough money to pay someone

3 1.0

A small mark like ✓ that shows something is correct or finished

2 4.4

A small paper record you keep after you tear off a check showing the payment

check girl
  • Archaic
2 6.8

A woman who takes coats or umbrellas at an entrance and gives a ticket to get them back

2 2.7

A written payment that an employer gives an employee for work

1 3.7

A signed piece of paper from a bank with the amount left empty for someone to fill

The latest time a guest must leave their hotel room

1 3.1

Regular monthly money a person gets after they stop working

1 3.5

A book or list where you record checks and deposits to track your bank account

1 2.7

A full medical examination to see how your body is working

1 5.1

A ticket to use later if an event is cancelled because of rain

1 6.8

A simple math check that finds errors in files on drives or during transfer

1 2.7

An extra look to make sure something is correct

A quick check where someone calls names to see who is present

1 2.8

A written note telling a bank to pay a certain amount of money to a person or company

1 4.1

A cheque from a bank that you can cash right away and is safer than a personal cheque

1 3.5

A government check that Medicare sends to an older person to pay medical costs

redundancy check
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A way to find mistakes in data by adding extra information when sending or saving it

parity check
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A way to find errors in digital data by checking whether the number of ones is even or odd

blank check
  • Specialized
6.5

A company formed to raise money from the public to buy other businesses

4.7

Money a bank lets you use when a check makes your account go below zero

check bit
  • Specialized
6.9

An extra binary digit added to data to find errors in transmission or storage

check character
  • Specialized
7.1

An extra digit or letter added to the end of a code to find reading errors

check mark
  • Texting
3.4

A small blue symbol next to a profile that shows the account is real

A set of steps for checking something before you finish or leave

counter check
  • Specialized
6.5

A blank check the bank gives you to get money when your personal checks are not available

8.8

A check on the opponent's king that happens when one piece moves and opens an attack by another piece

dogstooth check
  • Specialized
7.7

A cloth pattern with small jagged checks like a dog's tooth

A small jagged check pattern on fabric often black and white

3.0

A place in a public building where people leave hats and coats to keep them safe

3.7

A small ticket given when you leave a hat or coat to claim it later

health check
  • Specialized
3.1

A routine test that shows if a computer system or service works well

A cloth pattern of small jagged checks in two colors

A cloth pattern of small broken checks usually black and white

odd-even check
  • Specialized
6.7

A way to find errors in data by checking whether the number of ones is odd or even

poke check
  • Specialized
8.2

A quick push with a hockey stick that knocks the puck away from an opponent

treasurer's check
  • Specialized
7.2

A paper payment that a bank issues and pays from its own money

How Damaged

gouge
4 7.0
chip
130 2.1
check
5 5.8
scratch
203 1.6

Surface Forms

check singular
checks plural

Etymology

A check meaning a small notch or chip is a little break in the surface, like a tiny removed piece. So a check in wood or porcelain is a small flaw from breaking or chipping.