check and crack share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. check means “examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition”. crack means “become fractured; break or crack on the surface only”. 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”
/ˈkɹæk/
1.v.become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
“The glass cracked when it was heated”
2.v.make a very sharp explosive sound
“His gun cracked”
3.v.make a sharp sound
“his fingers snapped”
| check | crack | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈtʃɛk/ | /ˈkɹæk/ |
| Said | chek | krak |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | verb, noun | verb, noun, adjective |
| Senses | 38 | 24 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | check up on, look into, check out | check, break |
Full entry for check · Full entry for crack · More comparisons