check|ered /tʃe kə r d/ → see chequered
che ck-in (check-ins ) N‑COUNT At an airport, a check-in is the counter or desk where you check in.
che ck|ing ac|count (checking accounts ) N‑COUNT A checking account is a personal bank account which you can take money out of at any time using your cheque book or cash card. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use current account
check|list /tʃe kl I st/ (checklists ) N‑COUNT A checklist is a list of all the things that you need to do, information that you want to find out, or things that you need to take somewhere, which you make in order to ensure that you do not forget anything. □ [+ of ] Make a checklist of the tools and materials you will need.
che ck mark (check marks ) N‑COUNT A check mark is a written mark like a V with the right side extended. It is used to show that something is correct or has been selected or dealt with. [AM ] in BRIT, use tick
check|mate /tʃe kme I t/ N‑UNCOUNT In chess, checkmate is a situation in which you cannot stop your king being captured and so you lose the game. WORD HISTORY checkmate
The purpose of the game of chess may be to capture your opponent's king, but in terms of word origins, a player's aim is really to kill the king: checkmate comes from the Arabic phrase shāh māt , meaning 'the king is dead'.
check|out /tʃe kaʊt/ (checkouts ) also check-out N‑COUNT In a supermarket, a checkout is a counter where you pay for things you are buying. □ …queuing at the checkout in Sainsbury's.
check|point /tʃe kpɔ I nt/ (checkpoints ) N‑COUNT A checkpoint is a place where traffic is stopped so that it can be checked.
che ck-up (check-ups ) also checkup N‑COUNT A check-up is a medical examination by your doctor or dentist to make sure that there is nothing wrong with your health. □ The disease was detected during a routine check-up.
ched|dar /tʃe də r / (cheddars ) N‑VAR Cheddar is a type of hard yellow cheese, originally made in Britain.
cheek /tʃiː k/ (cheeks )
1 N‑COUNT Your cheeks are the sides of your face below your eyes. □ Tears were running down her cheeks. □ She kissed him lightly on both cheeks. ● -cheeked COMB □ …rosy-cheeked children.
2 N‑SING You say that someone has a cheek when you are annoyed or shocked at something unreasonable that they have done. [INFORMAL ] □ I'm amazed they had the cheek to ask in the first place. □ I still think it's a bit of a cheek sending a voucher rather than a refund. □ The cheek of it, lying to me like that!
3 PHRASE If you turn the other cheek when someone harms or insults you, you do not harm or insult them in return.
4 cheek by jowl → see jowl
cheek|bone /tʃiː kboʊn/ (cheekbones ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your cheekbones are the two bones in your face just below your eyes. □ She was very beautiful, with high cheekbones.
cheeky /tʃiː ki/ (cheekier , cheekiest ) ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as cheeky , you think that they are slightly rude or disrespectful but in a charming or amusing way. [mainly BRIT ] □ The boy was cheeky and casual. □ Martin gave her a cheeky grin. ● cheeki|ly /tʃiː k I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He strolled cheekily past the commissionaires for a free wash in the gentlemen's cloakroom.
cheer ◆◇◇ /tʃ I ə r / (cheers , cheering , cheered )
1 VERB When people cheer , they shout loudly to show their approval or to encourage someone who is doing something such as taking part in a game. □ [V ] We all cheered as they drove up the street. □ [V n] …2,000 Villa fans who cheered him into his goal. □ [V + for ] …the Irish Americans who came to the park to cheer for their boys. □ [V -ing] Cheering crowds lined the route. ● N‑COUNT Cheer is also a noun. □ [+ from ] The colonel was rewarded with a resounding cheer from the men.
2 VERB If you are cheered by something, it makes you happier or less worried. □ [be V -ed] Stephen noticed that the people around him looked cheered by his presence. □ [V n] The weather was perfect but it did nothing to cheer him. ● cheer|ing ADJ □ …very cheering news.
3 CONVENTION People sometimes say ' Cheers ' to each other just before they drink an alcoholic drink. [mainly BRIT , FORMULAE ]
4 CONVENTION Some people say ' Cheers ' as a way of saying 'thank you' or 'goodbye'. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FORMULAE ]
▸ cheer on PHRASAL VERB When you cheer someone on , you shout loudly in order to encourage them, for example when they are taking part in a game. □ [V n P ] A thousand supporters packed into the stadium to cheer them on. □ [V P n] Most will probably be cheering on their favourite players.
▸ cheer up PHRASAL VERB When you cheer up or when something cheers you up , you stop feeling depressed and become more cheerful. □ [V n P ] I think he misses her terribly. You might cheer him up. □ [V pron-refl P ] I wrote that song just to cheer myself up. □ [V P ] Cheer up, better times may be ahead. [Also V P n] SYNONYMS cheer VERB 2
hearten: The news heartened everybody.
encourage: Investors were encouraged by the news.
brighten: That really brightened my day.