noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

cheque

chehk

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Also spelled check (US spelling)

Cheque (noun) means a written instruction to a bank to pay a specific sum from your account to a named person or business. Example: “She wrote a cheque for the full amount of the rent.”

noun

A written instruction to a bank to pay a specific sum from your account to a named person or business.

"I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a cheque for the amount."

"She wrote a cheque for the full amount of the rent."

"The landlord asked for a cheque instead of cash."

"You can avoid dealing with paper cheques — written or printed — by paying your bills online." — Eric Tyson, Tony Martin (2007)

How to use cheque

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA paper slip that tells a bank to pay someone money out of your account.

UK vs US

British and Commonwealth English spell it "cheque"; American English uses "check" for the same thing.

Easily confused with

check →

Common pairings

write a cheque cash a cheque bounce a cheque cheque book

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: cheques

Test yourself on “cheque” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She wrote a _____ for the full amount of the rent.

Etymology

From the same root as "check" — via Old French eschec back to Persian shah ("king"), the word used in chess. "Cheque" is simply the British spelling that split off from "check" in the 1790s, partly by influence of "exchequer."

Origin: Old French · First attested 1790

Class of 1790 cheque joined the language around 1790.

boomerang Caucasian nitrogen phobia terrorist

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Synonyms

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check bank check

Related words

stop control stay watch check hold learn match

Rhymes for cheque

rue due sue cue hue blue true flue clue glue imbue pique

See all rhymes for cheque →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cheque” mean?

The word “cheque” means a written instruction to a bank to pay a specific sum from your account to a named person or business. In plain terms, a paper slip that tells a bank to pay someone money out of your account.

How do you pronounce “cheque”?

“Cheque” is pronounced chehk (/t͡ʃɛk/ in IPA).

How do you use “cheque” in a sentence?

Here is “cheque” used in a sentence: “She wrote a cheque for the full amount of the rent.”

What part of speech is “cheque”?

“Cheque” is a noun.

Where does the word “cheque” come from?

The word “cheque” dates back to around 1790 and comes from Old French.

Is “cheque” a common word?

“Cheque” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

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