Cheque Meaning
/t͡ʃɛk/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA written order directing a bank to pay money to a person or entity.
adjObsolete form of chequy.
Sentence Examples
I'll pay by cheque.
As soon as I received the cheque, I went to the bank.
Make sure you've signed the cheque before sealing the envelope.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
To pay the rent, he handed the landlord a signed ____ from his bank account.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I wrote a ____ for the full amount of the rent and gave it to owner.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *tek- Proto-Indo-Iranian *kšáyati Proto-Iranian *xšáyati Old Persian 𐏋 (XŠ) Middle Persian 𐭬𐭫𐭪𐭠 (mlkʾ) Classical Persian شاه (šāh)bor. Arabic شَاه (šāh)bor. Medieval Latin scaccusder. Old French eschecbor. Middle English chek English check ▲ English exchequerinflu.? English cheque From check, possibly influenced by exchequer. First attested in the 1790s.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"They do not, however, all deal with the same banker, and when A gives a cheque to B, B usually pays it not into the same but into some other bank."
— 1848, John Stuart Mill, Principles of Political Economy, published 1920, page 62:
"1999, Sam Seunarine, Office Procedures for the Caribbean, 2nd edition, reprinted 2001, page 126,
Sometimes abbreviations are used (which would be explained on the statement) and only the last three figures of the cheque number may be given. ‘Sundries’ are cash or cheques paid into the account."
—
"You can avoid dealing with paper cheques — written or printed — by paying your bills online."
— 2007, Eric Tyson, Tony Martin, Personal Finance for Canadians for Dummies:
"2009, R. Rajesh, T. Sivagnanasithi, Banking Theory Law & Practice, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, page 206,
The daily cheque clearings began around 1770 when bank clerks met at the Five Bells (a tavern in Lombard Street in the City of London) to exchange all their cheques in one place and settle the balances in cash."
—
"George PARK of FULFORDLIES, descended of the Family of Parkswells, carries Or, a Fesse Cheque, Gules and Argent; between Three Bucks Heads cabossed, all within a Border of the 2d; Motto, Providentia me committo."
— 1722, Alexander Nisbet, A System of Heraldry Speculative and Practical, page 335:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
To pay the rent, he handed the landlord a signed ____ from his bank account.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I wrote a ____ for the full amount of the rent and gave it to owner.