1.
to pay and leave a hotel
“We checked out at 11.”
“You can check out tomorrow morning.”
Phrasal verb
What does check out mean?
Meaning: to pay and leave a hotel; to look at something
B1
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Quick answer
Check out = to pay and leave a hotel. It can also mean to look at something with interest (informal) or to check that something is true. We check out at 11 = we leave our room at 11. Check this out! = look at this!
Meanings of the phrasal verb
2.
to look at something with interest (informal)
common“Check this out!”
“You should check out the new café.”
Synonyms: to look at, to have a look
3.
to check that something is true
common“I'll check out his story.”
Synonyms: to verify, to investigate
Word order
Separable
The object can go between the verb and the particle. With a pronoun (it, them), it always goes between.
Forms
- Present Simple:
- check out
- Past Simple:
- checked out
- Past participle:
- checked out
- -ing form:
- checking out
Common mistakes to avoid
Meaning 1 has no object
When you pay and leave a hotel, check out has no object: We checked out at 10 ✓. To name the hotel, add of: We checked out of the hotel ✓. We checked the hotel out means something else: we looked at the hotel.
Meanings 2 and 3 are separable
Check this out / check it out. These meanings always need an object (the thing you look at or check). With a pronoun, it goes in the middle: check it out ✓ / check out it ❌.
Checkout (the noun) is one word
Checkout = (1) the place where you pay in a supermarket, (2) the time when you leave a hotel. The noun is one word, with no space. The verb is two words: check out.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What does check out mean?+
Check out has 3 meanings: (1) to pay and leave a hotel; (2) to look at something with interest (informal); (3) to check that something is true. Meaning 1 is for everyday travel. Meaning 2 is very common when people speak, especially young people.
Is check out separable?+
Meaning 1 (the hotel) has no object. Meanings 2 and 3 are separable: check out the menu / check the menu out / check it out (with a pronoun, always in the middle).
What does checkout mean?+
The noun checkout (one word) has two meanings: (1) the place where you pay in a supermarket (the checkout); (2) the time when you must leave a hotel (checkout time is 11).
What does “check this out!” mean?+
It means “look at this!”. People say it with excitement to show you something. It is very common in informal English, especially with young people. You can also say have a look at this.
What is the difference between check out and look at?+
Look at is neutral and general. Check out is more active: you look carefully, or you discover something new. People often use it to recommend something: Check out this restaurant! = go and try this restaurant.
Related phrasal verbs
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/phrasal-verbs/check-out
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.