traveler's check: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal/Business
Quick answer
What does “traveler's check” mean?
A preprinted, fixed-amount check issued by a bank or financial institution, designed for secure use during travel and often replaceable if lost or stolen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A preprinted, fixed-amount check issued by a bank or financial institution, designed for secure use during travel and often replaceable if lost or stolen.
Refers to the system or concept of using such checks for safe travel funds, and by extension, any secure method for carrying money while abroad.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: American English uses 'traveler's check', while British English uses 'traveller's cheque'. Pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Both convey the same meaning, but 'cheque' in British English aligns with standard spelling for financial documents.
Frequency
Historically more common in American English; in both varieties, usage is decreasing due to alternative payment methods.
Grammar
How to Use “traveler's check” in a Sentence
issue a traveler's checkcash a traveler's checkuse traveler's checks for securityVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in banking and travel agencies for secure transaction methods.
Academic
Rarely used; may appear in economics or tourism studies discussing payment systems.
Everyday
When discussing travel preparations or money safety tips.
Technical
In financial documentation and procedures for issuing and redeeming checks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “traveler's check”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “traveler's check”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “traveler's check”
- Misspelling as 'travelers check' without apostrophe, or 'traveller check' in British English.
- Using it interchangeably with regular checks, which are not replaceable if lost.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A traveler's check is a preprinted, fixed-amount check designed to allow the person signing it to make an unconditional payment to someone else as a result of having paid the issuer for that privilege.
Usage has declined significantly with the advent of credit cards, debit cards, and digital payments, but they are still available from some financial institutions.
You can cash a traveler's check at banks, currency exchange offices, or sometimes hotels, by endorsing it with your signature and providing identification.
Traveler's checks are pre-paid and replaceable if lost or stolen, whereas regular checks are drawn on a personal account and not typically replaceable.
A preprinted, fixed-amount check issued by a bank or financial institution, designed for secure use during travel and often replaceable if lost or stolen.
Traveler's check is usually formal/business in register.
Traveler's check: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtrævələz ˌtʃek/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtrævələrz ˌtʃɛk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a check that travels with you, keeping your money safe like a traveler's companion.
Conceptual Metaphor
A safety net for funds on the move.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary advantage of using traveler's checks?