1 A2 neutral
To officially leave and pay at a hotel, library, or similar institution.
"We need to check out of the hotel by eleven or we'll be charged for another night."
inseparable
check out
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To officially leave a hotel; to look at or investigate something; or (informally) to be very attracted to someone.
In plain English
To leave a hotel after paying your bill, to have a look at something interesting, or to notice an attractive person.
What does "check out" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 idiomatic informal
To look at, examine, or investigate something, often because it seems interesting or worth knowing about.
"You should check out that new Thai place on the high street — the food is amazing."
“
"Check it out — it's a brand new world."
— Aladdin (1992 Disney film), song 'A Whole New World'
separable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To stop paying attention; to mentally disengage from a situation.
"By the third hour of the meeting, half the team had completely checked out."
inseparable
4 B1 idiomatic neutral
To be confirmed as correct or legitimate after being verified.
"The police ran his alibi and it checked out — he really was out of town that night."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To 'check' (record) yourself 'out' — to register your exit, opposite of checking in.
Actually means
To leave a hotel after paying your bill, to have a look at something interesting, or to notice an attractive person.
Usage tip
One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in English. The hotel sense is universal; the 'look at' sense is very common in everyday speech; the 'become mentally absent' sense is informal American English. The noun 'checkout' (one word) is used for the time of departure and for supermarket payment lines.
Words that pair with "check out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hotel library book new restaurant website store time
How to conjugate "check out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
check out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
checks out
he/she/it
Past simple
checked out
yesterday
Past participle
checked out
have + pp
-ing form
checking out
continuous
Hear "check out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "check out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.