Definition

1. Noun:

   • A game piece: One of the flat, round, typically black or red pieces used in the board game of checkers (also known as draughts in some regions).
   • An inspector or verifier: A person or thing that examines something for accuracy, quality, or condition.
   • A cashier or attendant: (Primarily US) A person whose job is to receive payment for goods, often in a supermarket, or to take care of items like coats or luggage.

2. Verb:

   • To mark with a pattern: To decorate or mark something with a pattern of squares or alternating colors.
   • To divide into squares: To mark something into a grid of squares.

Examples

• Noun:

  • I moved my black checker forward two spaces.
  • The quality checker found a flaw in the product.
  • Please pay the checker at the front of the store.

• Verb:

  • The sunlight checkered the ground through the leaves.
  • She checkered the graph paper to make her chart clearer.

Advanced Usage

• "To run a checker on something": To use a program or person to verify the correctness of something.

  • You should run a spell checker on your essay before submitting it.

• "A checkerboard pattern": A pattern of alternating squares, typically of two colors.

  • The floor had a classic black and white checkerboard pattern.

Variants and Related Words

• Checkerboard (n): A board marked with 64 squares, used for playing checkers and chess.
• Checkered (adj): Marked with a pattern of squares; also used figuratively to mean having a varied and often mixed history (e.g., a past).
• Spell-checker (n): A software feature that checks text for spelling errors.

Synonyms

• Noun (inspector): Examiner, auditor, verifier, inspector.
• Noun (piece): Game piece, token, man (in the context of checkers/draughts).
• Verb (pattern): Variegate, dapple, mottle.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its verbal use is typically transitive.)

Related Idioms

• A checkered flag: In auto racing, a black-and-white flag waved to signal the winner and the end of a race. Figuratively, it can mean a sign of completion or victory.
  • He finally saw the checkered flag on his long project.
• A checkered past/history/career: A history that includes both good and bad episodes, successes and failures.
  • The actor's checkered career included both award-winning roles and major flops.

Noun

1. one of the flat round pieces used in playing the game of checkers
2. one who checks the correctness of something
3. an attendant who checks coats or baggage

Verb

1. variegate with different colors, shades, or patterns
2. mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on