Checkout vs. Check Out – How to Use Each Correctly

/ October 14, 2019/ Usage

checkout versus check out

What’s the Difference Between Checkout and Check Out?

These two terms sound alike other than the short pause between the words in check out. However, they cannot be interchanged since they don’t have the same part of speech.

Checkout can act as either an adjective or noun. It refers to the process of leaving a hotel or paying for the items you went shopping for at a register.

  • The checkout line at the grocery store is longer than usual today.

Check out is a phrasal verb with the same meaning as checkout. It can also mean to examine something interesting or to look at a person in a way meant to show attraction.

  • Check out this inconsistency in the data.

Let’s practice a few ways you can use these terms in your sentences to help you avoid mixing them up.

Using Checkout in a Sentence

When to use checkout: Checkout can be either a noun or adjective referring to leaving a hotel after a stay is complete, or paying for purchases.

For example,

  • Welcome to the hotel! Checkout time is at 11 o’clock.
  • At the checkout, she realized she had forgotten to buy blueberries.

The noun form originated in the 1940’s, and came from the phrasal verb.

Using Check Out in a Sentence

When to use check out: Check out is a phrasal verb that shows the action form of the noun, with the same meaning. Additionally it can mean to look at something carefully or look at something new. One of the slang meanings means show sexual or romantic interest in someone else by looking at them.

For example:

  • I can help you check out over at register 2. (allow a customer to pay for purchases)
  • Check out the new sculpture I made! Pretty cool, right? (look at something new)
  • They went to the beach to check out all of the cuties swimming. (looking to show attraction – informal)

Another slang usage of this phrasal verb means to die or to stop paying attention.

Remembering Checkout vs. Check Out

The best way to remember the difference between these two terms is to think of the part of speech for each. Checkout is a noun, and like most other nouns, it is only a single word. Check out is a phrasal verb, and like most other phrasal verbs it is two words.

To help you remember this think of the third person form. She always checks out the same library book. The use of s at the end of checks wouldn’t be possible if the verb was one word. The progressive form, she is checking out can also help you remember that the verb should have two separate words.

Outside Examples

  • Authorities say a woman tried to sneak more than $1,800 worth of electronics through a Florida Walmart’s self-checkout by switching the items’ price tags with those from clearance items. –Chicago Sun Times
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for that which is not overtly promoted. Case in point: Lane Bryant gives extra discounts to teachers who show a valid school ID or pay stub during checkout. –Chicago Tribune
  • Shoppers check out the wares at Macy’s. –New York Daily News
  • Meanwhile, check out this theory, posited in this BuzzFeed article, that people who speed up their podcasts (”podfasters”) may be more likely to pay attention to the ads contained within because they’re less likely to skip commercial breaks and higher-pitch sounds are easier to hear. –Wall Street Journal

Quiz: Checkout vs. Check Out

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either checkout or check out.

  • You are not allowed to _________________ more than 10 books at a time at this library.
  • The ____________ process is much simpler now than it was 20 years ago.
  • I always prefer to use the self-______________ machines at the store.
  • Did you _______________ the news article about the mounting tension between the two countries?

See answers below.

Article Summary

Should I use checkout or check out? These two words share a lot of the same meanings, however, they have different parts of speech and therefore must be spelled differently.

  • Checkout is a noun or adjective for the purchasing of items at a store or finishing a stay at a hotel.
  • Check out is the same, but in phrasal verb form. As a verb, it can also mean to look at or examine something new, interesting, or exciting.

Sometimes these terms appear with a hyphen. However, this is non-standard and therefore should be avoided.

Answers from Quiz

  • check out
  • checkout
  • checkout
  • check out