checkered
checkered Lexical Profile
checkered Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
American Marked with or divided into a pattern of alternating differently colored squares, like a chessboard.
"The race car driver sped past the waving checkered flag to claim his first championship victory."
American Characterized by varied, unpredictable, and often disreputable or unsuccessful episodes, periods, or experiences.
"Despite his checkered career in local politics, the candidate managed to win the trust of undecided voters."
American Dappled or interspersed with alternating patches of light and shadow.
"We walked along a quiet forest trail beneath the checkered shade of the oak trees."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Checkered" is the standard American English spelling, whereas British and Commonwealth English typically prefer "chequered" (though British English often retains "checkered" in the figurative phrase "a checkered past").
• Rhymes for checkered
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English noun "cheker" (meaning a chessboard), which came via Old French "eschequier" and Medieval Latin "scaccarium" from the Persian word "shah" (king), referencing the game of chess.