Quick Definition
Check Out — To leave a hotel after paying; to look at or examine something; to borrow a book from a library; (informal) to look at something impressive or interesting.
Meanings of Check Out
| Meaning | Example Sentence | Notes / Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Leave a hotel | We checked out at 11 a.m. | Pay and officially leave accommodation. |
| Examine / investigate | Check out this new restaurant! | Informal: look at or try something. |
| Borrow from library | She checked out three books. | Formally borrow items using a library system. |
| Verify / investigate | The police are checking out the claim. | More formal: investigate the truth of something. |
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Meaning in Context |
|---|---|
| Guests must check out before noon. | Leave and settle the hotel bill by noon. |
| Check out this amazing view! | Look at / notice this impressive view. |
| I checked out several books on grammar. | Borrowed them from a library. |
| The manager asked security to check out the suspicious bag. | Investigate or examine the bag. |
| You should check out LexFizz — it's great for practising phrasal verbs. | Recommendation to try something. |
| We checked out early because our flight was at 6 a.m. | Left the hotel before the standard checkout time. |
Grammar Notes
Separability & Transitivity
Type: Inseparable (hotel sense) / Can separate in informal speech | Transitivity: Intransitive (hotel) / Transitive (examine, borrow)
Hotel meaning (intransitive): No object — We checked out.
'Examine' meaning (transitive): Object follows out or can be emphasised in speech: Check out this app or Check this app out!
Library meaning (transitive): Object follows — check out three books.
How to Use Check Out
Meaning is heavily context-dependent. In hotels the phrase is fixed and formal. In casual conversation, "check out" (meaning 'look at') is extremely high-frequency in spoken and online English.
| Register | Example / Notes |
|---|---|
| Formal / Travel | All guests must check out by 11:00. |
| Professional / Neutral | The team will check out the new software this week. |
| Informal / Spoken | Hey, check this out! |
| Online / Social media | Check out my new post! |
Similar Phrasal Verbs
Practise Check Out
Practice English Phrasal Verbs
Use these exercises to master phrasal verbs in context:
Frequently Asked Questions about Check Out
What does "check out" mean?
"Check out" has several meanings: leave a hotel after paying; examine or look at something; borrow items from a library; and informally, look at something impressive. It is an inseparable phrasal verb at CEFR A2.
Is "check out" separable or inseparable?
"Check out" is inseparable in the hotel/departure sense. In the informal 'look at' sense it can be separated in speech: Check this out! The hotel meaning is strictly intransitive with no object.
How do I use "check out" in a sentence?
We need to check out by noon. (hotel departure) / Check out this new app! (informal: look at this) / She checked out five books. (library borrowing).
What is the register of "check out"?
The hotel meaning is neutral/formal. The 'look at this' meaning is informal, very common in spoken English and online communication. The investigation meaning is neutral to formal.
What CEFR level is "check out"?
"Check out" is an A2 — Elementary phrasal verb for the travel meaning. The informal usage is common at A2–B1 levels in everyday spoken English.
What is the difference between "check out" and "check in"?
"Check in" means to arrive and register; "check out" means to leave and settle the bill. They are direct opposites used in travel contexts.
Can "check out" be used formally?
The hotel meaning is perfectly formal: Guests must check out by 11 a.m. The informal 'look at this' meaning should be avoided in formal writing but is fine in spoken professional settings.
Does "check out" take an object?
In the hotel sense it is intransitive (no object). In the 'examine' and library senses it takes an object: check out the website, check out some books.
How can I practise "check out"?
Use LexFizz's Flip Tiles and Find the Match to practise all meanings of "check out". Context sentences help you distinguish between the hotel, examination, and library meanings.
Is "check out" used differently in British and American English?
In American English "checkout" (noun) appears more frequently in retail contexts (checkout counter, checkout line). The phrasal verb and its meanings are shared across both varieties.