check and cheque are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. check means “examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition”. cheque means “a written order directing a bank to pay money”. check is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈtʃɛk/
1.v.examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
“check the brakes”
2.v.make an examination or investigation
“check into the rumor”
3.v.be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
“He verified that the valves were closed”
/ˈtʃɛk/
| check | cheque | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈtʃɛk/ | /ˈtʃɛk/ |
| Said | chek | chek |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 6 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | noun, verb |
| Senses | 38 | 2 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | check up on, look into, check out | check, bank check |
Full entry for check · Full entry for cheque · More comparisons
1.n.a written order directing a bank to pay money
“he paid all his bills by check”
2.v.withdraw money by writing a check