check in
B1Neutral to formal, depending on context (e.g., formal at airport, informal in 'check in with me').
Definition
Meaning
To register one's arrival at a hotel, airport, or event.
To report one's presence or confirm participation; to contact someone to confirm status or well-being; to submit something for processing or recording.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. Can be used transitively ('check in your bags') or intransitively ('check in at the desk'). The noun form is 'check-in' (hyphenated).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Check-in' (noun/adjective) is consistently hyphenated in both. Slight preference in UK English for 'check in at the desk' vs. US 'check in to the hotel', but both are understood.
Connotations
Similar connotations of procedure and registration in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties in travel contexts. The social 'check in on someone' is slightly more common in US informal usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] check in [at/for/to Location/Event][Subject] check [Object] in [at/for Location][Subject] check in with [Person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Check in with reality (become aware of facts)”
- “Check in your ego at the door (be humble).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for project updates: 'Let's check in on the Q3 targets.'
Academic
Rare. Possibly for conference registration: 'You must check in at the symposium desk.'
Everyday
Very common for travel and social contact: 'I'll check in when I land.' 'Just checking in to see how you are.'
Technical
Aviation/transport: The formal process of passenger and baggage acceptance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please check in at the desk upon arrival.
- You can check your bags in over there.
- I'll check in with you tomorrow.
American English
- You need to check in for your flight online.
- We checked in to the hotel around 3 PM.
- He checked in with his manager via email.
adverb
British English
- This service is available check-in. (Rare, usually part of noun phrase)
American English
- This service is available check-in. (Rare, usually part of noun phrase)
adjective
British English
- Proceed to the check-in desk.
- What is the check-in time?
American English
- Use the check-in kiosk for faster service.
- The check-in process was automated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We will check in at the hotel.
- Check in here for your key.
- You must check in online before going to the airport.
- I called to check in on my grandmother.
- After checking in my luggage, I proceeded through security.
- The team leader checks in with us every Monday morning.
- The new software allows guests to check in remotely via their smartphones.
- She made a point of checking in periodically with stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHECKlist for things you must do when you arrive (IN) at a new place.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARRIVAL IS REGISTRATION (mapping a physical event to a bureaucratic procedure).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'check' as 'проверять' in this context. 'Check in' is 'регистрироваться', not 'проверять внутри'.
- Confusing 'check in' (register arrival) with 'check into' (investigate or enter a place for a stay).
Common Mistakes
- *I checked in my flight. (Correct: I checked in FOR my flight.)
- *The check in was smooth. (Correct as noun: The check-in was smooth.)
- Confusing 'check in on' (visit/contact) with 'check into' (register at).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'check in' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb phrase, 'check in to' is traditionally correct ('check in to a hotel'). However, 'check into' is very common in informal usage. The noun form is always hyphenated: 'hotel check-in'.
They are often interchangeable meaning 'to visit or contact someone to see if they are okay.' 'Check in on' can imply a more routine or scheduled contact, while 'check on' is more general.
Yes, it is often intransitive: 'Please check in at the front desk.' It becomes transitive when referring to luggage: 'Check your bags in.'
The direct opposite is 'check out,' which means to settle your bill and leave officially.