What are the definitions of “check out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Pay the bill when leaving a hotel.
She CHECKED OUT and took a cab to the airport.
- 2Die.
She CHECKED OUT last week; the funeral's tomorrow.
- 3Get information about or inspect something to see if it's satisfactory.
I CHECKED the new restaurant OUT as soon as it opened.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “check out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb check out is to pay the bill and leave a hotel or other accommodation. It can also mean to leave a place after completing a transaction, such as a store or a library.
What are the different verb forms of “check out”?
| Root Verb | check out |
| Third Person Singular Present | checks out |
| Present Participle | checking out |
| Simple Past | checked out |
| Past Participle | checked out |
Example
I need to check out of the hotel by 11 am.
Example
She checks out of the hotel early in the morning.
Example
He is checking out at the front desk right now.
Example
They checked out of the hotel yesterday.
Example
We had checked out of the hotel before going to the airport.
What kind of phrasal verb is “check out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“check out” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I need to check out by 11 am.
Example
She checked out of the hotel early in the morning.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“check out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I need to check out by 11 am.
Example
She checked out of the hotel early in the morning.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “check out”?
Good things to know
Does “check out” have an informal or formal tone?
Check out is generally considered informal and is commonly used in everyday conversations. It is appropriate for casual settings and informal communication. In more formal situations, alternative phrases such as 'depart from the hotel' or 'inspect something' may be more suitable.
