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cheers
check·er·board /'tʃekəbɔːrd||-ərbɔːrd/ n [C] AmE a board used to play checkers, with 32 white squares and 32 black squares; DRAUGHTBOARD BrE
check·ered /'tʃekərd||-ərd/ adj AmE for CHEQUERED
check·ers /'tʃekərz||-əz/ n [U] AmE for DRAUGHTS
check-in n [C;U] (a place for) the reporting of your arrival at a hotel desk, airport etc: The airline boasts superior service from reservations through check-in to baggage handling. | a check-in counter → see also CHECK IN
checking ac,count n AmE a bank account which usually earns little or no interest and from which money can be taken out at any time by cheque; CURRENT ACCOUNT → compare DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
check·list /'tʃekˌlɪst/ n [(Ø)] a complete list, e.g. of checks to be made, things to be done etc: The crew of the aircraft went through the safety checklist before takeoff.
check·mate¹ /'tʃekmet/ n [C;U] 1 (in CHESS) the position of a king at the end of a game when under direct attack, from which escape is impossible 2 (a) complete defeat → compare STALEMATE
checkmate² v [T] 1 (in CHESS) to defeat (the opponent's king and therefore the opponent) with a checkmate: She checkmated my king/checkmated me in six moves. 2 to stop; completely defeat
check·out /'tʃek-aut/ n 1 [C] a desk in a self-service shop where one pays for goods. The sum owed is calculated by a CASHIER who then takes the money. 2 [C;U] the time at which a guest must leave a hotel room or be charged for another day: Checkout is at midday in this hotel. | checkout time → see also CHECK OUT
check·point /'tʃekpɔɪnt/ n a place, especially on a border, where an examination of people, goods etc is made
Checkpoint 'Charlie the best-known checkpoint in the Berlin Wall between what was formerly East and West Germany
check·room /'tʃek-rum, -ru:m/ n especially AmE for 1 LEFT LUGGAGE OFFICE 2 a CLOAKROOM
checks and 'balances n [P] limits put on a group, especially a part of a government, by stating that another group has the power to change or VETO (disapprove) the first group's actions or decisions: A system of checks and balances was built into the US government.
check-up /'tʃek-ʌp/ n infml a general medical examination, usually taken regularly, to test your state of health and discover any disease at an early stage: to have an annual checkup → compare PHYSICAL
Ched·dar, cheddar /'tʃedər/ n [C;U] a hard smooth yellow or orange cheese. Cheddar is the most popular cheese in the UK: a mild/mature Cheddar
Cheddar 'Gorge a deep valley in the Mendip Hills, south-west England, famous for its natural beauty and ancient CAVES (=large natural hole in the side of a cliff or hill)
cheek¹ /tʃi:k/ n 1 [C] the fleshy part of the face below the eye, especially in humans: He kissed her on the cheek. → see picture at HEAD 2 [U] BrE infml disrespectful rude behaviour: What a cheek! | Well, of all the cheek! | [+to-v] He had the cheek to say that I was late! 3 [C] infml either of the two soft fleshy parts at the back lower end of the body, especially in human beings; BUTTOCK 4 cheek by jowl (with) very close together or closely connected: It was incongruous to see a bishop sitting there cheek by jowl with the Communist leader. 5 turn the other cheek to take no action against someone who has hurt or harmed you 6 -cheeked /tʃi:kt/ having cheeks of the stated kind: rosy-cheeked children → see also tongue in cheek (TONGUE)
cheek² v [T] BrE infml to speak or behave rudely or disrespectfully towards: She was sent to the headmistress for cheeking the other teachers.
cheek·bone /'tʃi:kbəun/ n [usually pl.] the bone above the cheek, just below the eyes
cheek·y /'tʃi:ki/ BrE || sassy AmE — adj disrespectful, especially towards someone older such as your teacher or parents; rude; IMPUDENT: a cheeky remark/little boy → see IMPOLITE (USAGE) —ily adv —iness n [U]
cheep /tʃi:p/ v [I] to make the weak high noise made by young birds —cheep n
cheer¹ /tʃɪər/ n 1 [C] a shout of praise, approval, or encouragement: I heard the cheers of the crowd, and I knew our team was winning.
CULTURAL NOTE Three cheers! People sometimes give 'three cheers' for someone who has achieved something special, in order to show they are happy for them and proud of them. One person shouts, 'Hip hip!', and the rest of the group shout 'Hurray!' This is then repeated two more times. This custom is now rather old-fashioned.
2 [U] fml or lit a feeling of happiness and confidence; good spirits: After the long hard winter, the feeling of spring in the air filled her with cheer. | The general's speech gave cheer to his anxious troops. 3 [U] lit or old-fash eating, drinking, and being merry: Christmas cheer → see also CHEERS
cheer² v 1 [I] to shout in praise, approval, or support: The crowd cheered as the teams arrived. 2 [T(ON)] to encourage by cheering: The crowd cheered their favourite rider (on). 3 [T] to give encouragement or hope to: The trapped miners were cheered when they heard the rescue party. | cheering news
cheer up also buck up — phr v infml 1 [I;T(= cheer sbody. up)] to (cause to) become happier, more cheerful: Cheer up! The news isn't too bad. | He took her to the ballet to cheer her up. 2 Cheer up! It might never happen infml (said to someone who looks very thoughtful and unhappy, for no reason that you can see)
Cheer trademark a type of DETERGENT for washing clothes, sold in the US
cheer·ful /'tʃɪəfəl||'tʃɪər-/ adj 1 happy and lively; in good spirits: a cheerful person/grin 2 bright and pleasant; likely to cause happy feelings: cheerful music/wallpaper | high street boutiques selling cheap and cheerful clothes 3 pleasantly willing: his cheerful compliance with our requests → see also cheap and cheerful (CHEAP) —ly adv —ness n [U] singing cheerfully | She cheerfully admitted her mistake.
cheer·i·o /ˌtʃɪəri'əʊ/ interj BrE infml goodbye
Cheer·i·os /'tʃɪəriəʊz/ trademark a type of breakfast food, usually eaten with milk. Cheerios are hard sweet circles of OATS and other CEREALS.
cheerleaders
cheer·lead·er /'tʃɪəˌli:dər||'tʃɪər-/ n (especially in the US) a person who calls for and directs cheering, for example at a football game, using certain agreed cheers and dance-like movements
CULTURAL NOTE In the US, every HIGH SCHOOL has a team of cheerleaders (usually girls), chosen for their attractive appearance, confidence, and ability to jump and perform dance-like movements. Professional sports teams also have cheerleaders, who are highly paid and are often highly skilled dancers; the Dallas Cowboys (a football team) are famous for their cheerleaders.
cheer·less /'tʃɪəsləs||'tʃɪər-/ adj dull; without comfort or happiness; saddening: a cheerless rainy day —ly adv —ness n [U]
cheers /tʃɪəz||tʃɪrz/ interj 1 used for expressing good wishes when drinking with someone, especially when taking the first mouthful of a new drink. (People raise their glasses