check out
Short definition: The phrase check out means to leave a hotel after paying, or to examine something more closely, often suggesting curiosity or interest.
Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb check out? This is a very common expression in English and it has several everyday meanings. It can describe leaving a hotel, examining something carefully, borrowing something officially, or even casually telling someone to look at something. Because it appears in both formal and informal situations, context is very important. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how check out works in daily English.
Forms: check out, checks out, checked out, checking out
Related: inspect v., examine v., leave v., verify v.
Syllable: check-out
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(Verb) To leave a hotel or officially end your stay.
To check out most commonly means to officially leave a hotel, pay your bill, and return your key before departing.
We need to check out before 11 a.m.She checked out early to catch her flight.Don’t forget to check out at the front desk.Synonyms: leave hotel, settle bill, depart officially, sign out, vacate room, conclude stay, complete checkout, finish stay, exit lodging, pay and leave, clear account, hand in key
Antonyms: check in, arrive, register, book a room, start stay, enter hotel, sign in, occupy room, move in, settle in, reserve accommodation, begin stay -
(Verb) To examine or investigate something carefully.
Check out can also mean looking at something closely to learn more about it or verify information.
You should check out that new restaurant downtown.The mechanic checked out the engine before giving an estimate.I’ll check out the details and get back to you.Synonyms: examine, inspect, investigate, review, explore, verify, look into, analyze, evaluate, assess, test, study
Antonyms: ignore, overlook, neglect, dismiss, skip, avoid examining, disregard, pass over, forget about, reject outright, neglect to review, leave unchecked -
(Verb) To borrow something officially, such as from a library.
In another meaning, check out refers to officially borrowing something, especially books or equipment, for a limited time.
She checked out three books from the library.You can check out a laptop from the media center.He forgot to return the tools he checked out.Synonyms: borrow, sign out, take on loan, issue to oneself, obtain temporarily, rent, withdraw officially, take out, claim temporarily, request loan, access for use, remove from inventory
Antonyms: return, check in, hand back, give back, submit, restore item, replace, put back, surrender, deliver back, deposit, relinquish -
(Verb) To look at someone or something with interest, often informally.
In casual speech, check out can mean looking at something interesting, sometimes with admiration or curiosity.
Check out that view—it’s amazing!He told me to check out his new car.Everyone was checking out the new student.Synonyms: look at, notice, observe, admire, watch, view, glance at, take a look, pay attention to, spot, examine briefly, eye
Antonyms: ignore, avoid looking, overlook, disregard, look away, neglect, miss, pass by, tune out, avert eyes, pay no attention, dismiss