checkmate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (in chess context), Formal/Informal (in metaphorical use)
Quick answer
What does “checkmate” mean?
A situation in chess where the opponent's king is under direct attack and has no legal move to escape capture, ending the game.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A situation in chess where the opponent's king is under direct attack and has no legal move to escape capture, ending the game.
A final and decisive defeat or a situation where someone is completely trapped and cannot succeed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
The term is universally understood and carries the same connotations of decisive defeat.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in chess and metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “checkmate” in a Sentence
[Subject] checkmated [Object]It was checkmate for [Entity][Subject] found themselves in checkmateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “checkmate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He checkmated his opponent in just fifteen moves.
- The new evidence checkmated the defence's argument.
American English
- She checkmated him with a surprise knight move.
- The senator's maneuver effectively checkmated the opposition bill.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable for this word.
American English
- Not applicable for this word.
adjective
British English
- He delivered the checkmate move with a smile.
- It was a checkmate position from which there was no recovery.
American English
- She saw the checkmate combination several moves ahead.
- The lawyer presented a checkmate argument.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for a decisive competitive victory that eliminates a rival's options, e.g., 'The new patent was a checkmate for their competitors.'
Academic
Primarily used in discussions of game theory, strategy, or as a literary metaphor for fate or decisive events.
Everyday
Most commonly used in the context of playing chess. Metaphorical use is understood but less frequent.
Technical
A precise, defined term in chess. Also used in AI/game theory to describe an algorithmically proven winning position.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “checkmate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “checkmate”
- Using 'checkmate' to mean 'to check' (in chess).
- Saying 'It was a stalemate' when meaning a decisive defeat (stalemate is a draw).
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈtʃekmeɪt/ (stress is on the second syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary and literal meaning is from chess, it is very commonly used as a metaphor for a final, decisive defeat in any competitive situation like politics, business, or sports.
'Check' means the king is under threat but can still escape. 'Checkmate' means the king is under threat and has no legal move to escape, which ends the game immediately.
Yes, it can. For example: 'The champion checkmated the challenger quickly' or metaphorically 'The new policy checkmated their plans.'
It comes from the Persian phrase 'shāh māt' (شاه مات), meaning 'the king is helpless' or 'the king is dead'. It entered English via Old French 'eschec mat'.
A situation in chess where the opponent's king is under direct attack and has no legal move to escape capture, ending the game.
Checkmate is usually formal (in chess context), formal/informal (in metaphorical use) in register.
Checkmate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃekˈmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃekˈmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's checkmate for...”
- “To put someone in checkmate”
- “To cry checkmate”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHECK the MATE' – you check the king and it's game over for your mate (opponent).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPETITION OR CONFLICT IS CHESS. A decisive, inescapable defeat is CHECKMATE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'checkmate' used literally?