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checkered

adjective check·ered \ ˈche-kərd \
|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of checkered

: marked by alternation or contrast of fortune
  • the best album of his checkered career
  • —Mark Coleman
especially : marked by many problems or failures
  • trying to prevent discovery of his checkered past

See checkered defined for English-language learners

See checkered defined for kids

Examples of checkered in a Sentence

  1. He has had a checkered career with many ups and downs.

Recent Examples of checkered from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'checkered.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of checkered

1656

in the meaning defined above

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Phrases Related to CHECKERED

Related Phrases

CHECKERED Defined for English Language Learners

checkered

adjective

Definition of checkered for English Language Learners

  • : having a pattern made up of squares of different colors

  • : including good parts and bad parts

  • : including many problems or failures

CHECKERED Defined for Kids

checkered

adjective check·ered \ ˈche-kərd \

Definition of checkered for Students

: having a pattern made up of squares of different colors

Learn More about checkered

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of checkered Nglish: Translation of checkered for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of checkered for Arabic speakers

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