Cheque vs Check | Definition, Use & Examples
Cheque and check are two words that sound the same and have the same meaning (i.e., a slip of paper issued by a bank that can be used as a means of payment) but are spelled differently in American and British English.
Check has quite a number of meanings, both as a verb and a noun, and it is only in this one specific meaning where the spelling is different.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| I gave the builder a check for the full amount. | I gave the builder a cheque for the full amount. |
| Stan had to go for a health check for his new job. | Stan had to go for a health check for his new job. |
| Sian always carries out a final check before leaving work. | Sian always carries out a final check before leaving work. |
Cheque vs check
In British English, the word for a bank-issued personal money order is cheque. The equivalent word in American English is check. The same is true for the derived forms, chequebook/checkbook.
Stephanie was always excited when the first royalty cheque/check arrived in the mail.
It was oddly nostalgic for Liam to go and cash a cheque/check at the bank.
Chequing vs checking
A bank account for which the customer is issued a chequebook/checkbook is called a current account or checking account. “Chequing account” would normally only be found in Canadian English.
My parents still rely on their current account/checking account, as they don’t like to pay by card.
Usually a current account/checking account doesn’t offer interest on your balance, so they aren’t great for savings.
- In British English, the check or checkmark is known as a tick (also checkbox/tickbox).
Frequently asked questions about cheque vs check
- Is it bank cheque or check?
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It depends what country you are in! In the United Kingdom, the noun meaning a piece of paper printed by a bank that allows you to buy something or pay someone is spelled cheque. In American English, it is spelled check.
In every other use of check as either a noun or verb, the spelling is the same in American and British English.
You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure you use check and cheque correctly.
- Is it cheque or check in the USA?
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In the USA, it is always check. British English uses cheque to refer to the personalized money order you use to purchase things or pay people.
For every other use in both British and American English, check is the correct spelling.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you check your spelling of check or cheque.
- Is it checking account or chequing account?
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In the US, a bank account that issues a checkbook is a checking account. The equivalent account in the UK is called a current account, and it usually comes with a chequebook.
The spelling of check for every other meaning is the same in American English and British English.
You can make sure your spelling of check or cheque is correct using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
